The role of IT in prisoner education: A global view
Full paper
Jane Garner
RMIT University
@RMITJane
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Wednesday 6 December, 11am – 11.30am
Stream 6
Room T125
Abstract
Studies have consistently found that prisoners who undertake education while in prison are less likely to reoffend, and return to prison. However, in an environment where post-secondary education is increasingly being offered via online delivery, prisoners with no access to the internet are experiencing barriers to education offered by non-prison providers. This study examines the Australian prison environment, the education needs of prisoners, and their current access to education, information technology and the internet. Recent and future Australian and international developments in delivering online education to prisoners are examined.
About the authors
Jane Garner
Jane Garner is a sessional academic at the RMIT University in Melbourne. Her PhD thesis focusses on the experiences of using Australian prison libraries. Her research interests also include prisoner education, and the history of reading and libraries in prisons.