Higher Education in prison: Detention time in connection to academic time

Abstract

Higher education in prison is globally valued as a form of investment and a strategy to reduce recidivism, highlighting the necessity of prisoners' access to quality academic education. The ultimate goal of inmates’ higher education is to promote innovative, interactive educational experiences in "remote" environments, with the participation and meaningful interaction of students, professionals and academics.

However, the liberating character of education often clashes with the restrictive framework of the prison, due to various obstacles that make the educational process difficult. The absence of appropriate study spaces, lack of internet availability, problems in taking up courses and sitting for exams, difficulties in working with academic advisors and teachers, stress and living conditions in prison, the discouraging attitude of the prison staff, as well as the restrictions on the financial support of students before and after release, are inhibiting factors for the achievement of prisoners’ educational goals. 

The concept of time in detention conditions takes on a different dimension for prisoners, given the nature of incarceration itself. By extension, the approach to academic time in prison, must take into account the structural characteristics of correctional space and the criteria that affect the goals, opportunities, quality and results of the educational process.