Irish Prison Education Association

We promotes the view that education in prison is a moral right that meets a basic human need, and within this perspective, personal development is considered to be an aim, a process and a result of prison education. We believe that education in prison has the power to transform prisoners? lives by enabling them understand, critique and question their previously unquestioned perceptions, assumptions and worldview. Prison education can facilitate the prisoners? successful re-entry into society by cultivating the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation necessary for active citizenship.

The aims of the association are:

To act as a recognised branch of the European Prison Education Association (EPEA)
To promote education in prison according to the Recommendations No. R (89) 12 of the Committee of Ministers to the members states of the Council of Europe (1990)
To promote education in Irish prisons as set out in the Strategy Statement of the Prison Education Service 2003-2007
To support and assist the professional development of persons involved in education in prison
To act as an advocate on behalf of educators in Irish prisons
To support penal reform.