Why we're different
For prisoners and ever more commentators there are three distinct features which combine to make our approach unique.
- Our two flagship courses – Family Man and Fathers Inside – encourage prisoners to form their own interpretations. The use of drama liberates their creativity and gives their thoughts manoeuvring room. We make their experience active, not passive, and they come to own what they learn.
- We create a safe environment. The learning process is tightly structured, so prisoners feel safe but not constrained; prison staff are reassured about security and teachers are confident with the comprehensive teaching materials.
- We are dedicated to improving our courses. We work doggedly on problems until they’re fixed. When we see something not working on the ground, we change it – right away.
We have been guided foremost by what motivates prisoners. Our courses also flow from our interest in policy, and we have collaborated with teachers, prison staff and non governmental organisations (NGOs) to promote reforming ideas on how prisoners can be engaged. This means that our work fits into a co-ordinated effort to resettle prisoners by persuading them to address their offending behaviour.
It is not an exaggeration to say that we are leading a transformation in the way prisoners are introduced to family relations and parenting education.
