Abstract:

Comparing the strategies of prison education in Belgium, Spain and Turkey, this study investigated the organisational, philosophical and historical development of courses for inmates in penitentiaries, the relationship of the educational institutions with the Department of Justice in each of the three nations, and conditions which have contributed to successful implementation of the concept. Data came from a literature survey, experiences of the participating institutions and other stakeholders as well as from the author's participation in other Grundtvig projects. These were among the conclusions: (1) prison education courses have been, and remain, quite flexible and the idea has been adapted to the needs of each nation; (2) In Spain the academic evaluation might influence the course of the prison sentence where this has no effect in Belgium and Turkey; (3) Each country has a different set of instruments for educational motivation of inmates.

Keywords:

Prison education, Grundtvig, development of courses.