This presentation draws from interviews conducted in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand with frontline correctional educators, administrators, incarcerated learners, and formerly incarcerated learners to explore the broader impacts of education. Correctional jurisdictions worldwide place a significant emphasis on education, especially vocational training, believing it plays a vital role in reintegrating people into society by improving their employability upon release from custody. However, we argue that the benefits of education extend far beyond employability, impacting individuals both during and after their incarceration.
Our research highlights how education fosters a more stable and harmonious prison environment. Engaging in educational activities often leads to a reduction in disruptive behaviour, contributing to a safer and more conducive atmosphere within correctional facilities. Moreover, education fosters the development of advanced cognitive skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, which are invaluable assets for individuals during their time in custody and upon reintegration into society.
Our research indicates that participation in education can alleviate mental distress, promote emotional well-being, and reduce instances of depression and anxiety. This therapeutic aspect of education not only enhances the quality of life within correctional settings but also contributes significantly to the overall rehabilitation and successful re-entry of individuals into society.
Importantly, our research emphasises the importance of cultural education programs for First Nations learners, which facilitate cultural reconnection and integration within their communities, fostering a sense of identity and belonging. This process of cultural reconnection is instrumental in promoting holistic rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates effectively.
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Helen Farley PhD, MEd, MA
Director of Criminal Justice, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Dr Helen Farley is the Director of Criminal Justice and an Associate Professor within the Faculty of Law at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Ōtautahi | Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand. Since 2011, Helen has been working to introduce digital technologies into prisons to provide access to digital higher education. Her latest project, the $AUD4.4 million Making the Connection project garnered 1700 course enrolments over 4 years with those in prison obtaining better marks, having better retention rates and better progression rates than their non-incarcerated peers. The project focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who are among the most incarcerated people on earth. Helen moved to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2018 to take up the role of Practice Manager Education and Training for Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections New Zealand, where she oversaw education and training and worked on projects investigating the cultural capability of staff within Ara Poutama, and policies on neurodiversity and aging people within corrections among others. She moved to the University of Canterbury at the beginning of July 2022. Helen is the President of the Australasian Corrections Education Association, an organisation for correctional educators and administrators from education providers and correctional jurisdictions, academics, and those with lived experience.
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Sherie Lucke
Practice Manager Education and Training, Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections New Zealand, New Zealand
Sherie Lucke is a dedicated advocate for prison education, currently serving as the Practice Manager for Education and Training for Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections in the South Island of New Zealand since October 2022. In this role, she focuses on enhancing the delivery of offender education and training, utilising her expertise to support the development of best practices that lead to improved educational outcomes, sustainable employment, and reduced reoffending rates. Prior to this, Sherie held the position of Learning Interventions Delivery Manager at the Otago Corrections Facility from April 2016 to October 2022, where she ensured the successful delivery of programs and interventions to meet the rehabilitative needs of incarcerated individuals. She managed various educational resources, collaborated with internal and external stakeholders, and oversaw program budgets and contracts. Earlier in her career, Sherie served as an Employment Placement Coordinator in Otago, facilitating connections between Corrections Services staff, external agencies, and employers to help clients secure employment as part of their community reintegration. With extensive experience spanning over two decades, including roles as a Youth Offending Service Officer in London, England, Sherie has demonstrated her commitment to supporting individuals within the criminal justice system and promoting positive outcomes through education and employment initiatives.
