Prisoners Education Trust

09/10/2026

This Sunday, our brilliant trustee Vicki Mulligan – who has served on our board for seven years – is running the Royal Parks Half.

She's just £173 away from her £1,000 target. Could you give her (and us!) a helping hand to hit the target?

Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/vicki-mulligan-1

08/10/2026

"For people in prison, education is about more than opportunity. It's about hope and rehabilitation, the chance to leave the past behind and start afresh."

Over the next five years, we plan to help thousands of people in prison gain the skills, qualifications and confidence they need to thrive on release. Read our Chair Paul Kelly's introduction to our new strategy 👇

PET's Chair, Paul Kelly, introduces our new five-year strategy, built on nearly 40 years of experience and the belief that every person in prison must have the opportunity to learn. At school our headteacher always talked about how education provides opportunities.

07/10/2026

Today we're launching our new strategy, setting out how we will help more people in prison to discover the life-changing power of education.

Over the last five years, we've enabled thousands of people to access distance learning in prison. Demand for our courses is higher than ever and prison education is coming under real pressure.

Developed in partnership with staff, learners, alumni and our partners, our new strategy sets out our three priorities for the next five years:

1️⃣ Excellence in distance learning provision
2️⃣ Innovation in digital access to learning
3️⃣ Influence on prison education policy and practice

Hear from our chief executive Jon Collins about our plans and read the strategy here: https://prisonerseducation.org.uk/2026/10/our-new-five-year-strategy-lives-transformed-by-learning-in-prison/

30/09/2026

There are only 20 of us in the PET team, but we've helped nearly 1,500 people start distance learning courses in prison so far this year.

That's only possible because we have the incredible support of prison staff who help learners get started with their studies every day.

That one small tick next to "Prison staff" in our application form tells a big story.

Shahid started his Open Study College Accounting Certificate with us last month. In his application, he wrote: "I have support from the prison education staff and also the distance learning co-ordinator. I will have access to the prison library, computers and study sessions to support me further in my studies."

His words show how important the hidden heroes working in UK prisons are. Thank you to every member of prison staff who helps learners reach their goals and work towards a better future.

21/09/2026

Women in prison are losing education when they need it most.

For thousands of women, prison is not just where education begins. It's where it finally becomes possible.

But education hours in women's prisons have been cut by an average of 30%, compared with 25% across men’s prisons.

Our chief executive Jon Collins and Natasha Finlayson OBE, Chief Executive at Working Chance, are calling on the government to reverse the cuts and to publish a full Equality Impact Assessment, setting out the consequences for women's access to education and rehabilitation.

Jon Collins of PET and Natasha Finlayson of Working Chance raise concerns about cuts to education in women's prisons.

10/09/2026

These are Joe's words. He's studying our Understanding Mentoring and Coaching course in prison.

His course is supporting his roles as Neurodiversity Representative and Equalities Representative at the prison and is equipping him with the skills to achieve his goal of mentoring and coaching young people after release.

It shows the ripple effect of change from one person, one course and one desire to have a positive impact.

We record how many courses we fund (1,421 this year so far!) but the true number of lives impacted by someone believing in you is immeasurable.

When you think about all the people in prison that Joe currently supports through his roles and all the young people whose lives he can positively impact upon release, it's clear that education really is a gift that keeps on giving.

That's what a gift in your will to PET can do.

After taking care of your family and friends, any gift – however big or small – can make a huge impact. It enables us to continue providing education and support to people in prison long into the future.

This , we have two offers for supporters if you would like to write or refresh your will. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/PET-legacy

08/09/2026

Ant has lived experience of the justice system and has seen first-hand the benefits education can bring to people in prison.

Here's why he's running the Royal Parks Half for PET this October - for a second time! Help him hit his £500 target here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/runningpetant

07/09/2026

Rather than investing in converting offices and laundries into cells, we should be properly funding education so that prisons can focus on rehabilitation.

That's the message we've shared with The Guardian today.

They've published a letter from our chief executive, Jon Collins. Read it here: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/sep/06/education-in-prison-is-key-to-tackling-the-crisis

01/09/2026

Supporting a loved one in prison has shown Lucy the importance of offering hope and purpose.

We’re so grateful that she’s running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for PET, to help people in prison gain the skills and confidence to create a better future.

You can help Lucy reach her £1,000 target here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lucyontherun

27/08/2026

Thanks to a £35,000 grant from the Army Benevolent Fund, we funded 56 distance learning courses for veterans in prison last year.

That's 27 more veterans supported in 2025 than in 2024.

Kevin, studying for a health and safety qualification, said it gave him "a sense of meaning and purpose during a difficult time" and could be "life changing" for his future and his family.

Greg, studying Counselling Skills, now volunteers as a Samaritans Listener and started a peer-to-peer cancer support group in his prison.

Andrew, supported through previous Army Benevolent Fund funding, is now on his fifth PET course and has been offered a job on release. He's even inspired his son to follow in his footsteps: he's just finished his final year at university.

Our distance learning courses can help people in prison turn their lives around. A huge thanks to the Army Benevolent Fund for making it possible.

Read their stories here 👇

Discover how a grant from the Army Benevolent Fund is supporting veterans in prison to gain qualifications and build new beginnings.