DWRM are a new social enterprise aimed at massively increasing the number of people in prison studying university courses. They are led by Dan – a former prisoner, who has completed all of his education during a long prison sentence and who is now released and studying for a PhD (on the topic of prison education of course) – and by Ruth, an expert in distance learning and prison education (who is also on the EPEA steering committee).
DWRM are partnering with universities to deliver their degree courses in prisons, capitalising on Covid arrangements which have seen all universities move to a blended delivery with recorded lectures and remote learning. DWRM also incorporate a strong element of post release support in the form of peer mentoring and advocacy work to enable people to complete their studies once they are released. The long-term goal is to see the number of people studying at this level increase from 2% of the prison population to 25% and to enable successful graduates to have access to professional roles where they can engage in policy making, having an influence on the very systems that contributed to their disadvantage.
The first prospectus has been launched this month and sent into prisons to invite applications. Copies of the prospectus and further details are available on the website