عنوان

An examination of the function of education in prisons :

Number

TLets810171

Title Proper

An examination of the function of education in prisons :

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Poole, Helen Louise

Title Proper by Another Author

social, political and penal perspectives

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of Birmingham

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2016

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Thesis (Ed.D.)

Text preceding or following the note

2016

Text of Note

This study aims to examine the function of education in prisons through the application of a unique analytical model. Prisoner education has become a primary focus for the rehabilitation of offenders, evidenced more recently by the announcement and abandonment of a network of privately run 'Secure Colleges' to replace the existing estate for young offenders. This research aims to form a better understanding of what such education provision is designed to achieve through an examination the social, political and penal context in which it has developed. Building on the work of Foucault (1979), Markus (1993) and King (1980) amongst others, the present study triangulates data from political discourse, prison architecture, and still images of prison learning spaces using an analytical model based on research findings from philosophical, sociological, penal and educational theories. The main findings of the study are that the enduring function of prison education is the control of the prisoner-class, which is highly related to the macro-management of the penal system (reducing reoffending) and economic production. The author argues such an approach ignores individual agency, and negatively impacts on approaches to prison education through the marginalisation of educational theory and pedagogic best practice.

HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare; L Education (General); LC Special aspects of education

University of Birmingham

University of Birmingham

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y