The cell door might be shut and locked, as will the front gate, but the metaphorical door of the mind is always open and ready to learn. And that’s the frustration!
The first hurdle for any SiSE learner is frustration; feelings of hopelessness, of not being in control of learning, unable to access resources – something as simple as a handout (posted, but lost in the `snail mail’ of prison) or video links having a word flagged up by the filter, blocked. In fact, getting hold of a computer to complete assignments is a luxury for some. That’s been the experience of a Category `C’ (closed) prison, as most learners who’ve had experience of one will testify, you are shep’herded’ practically everywhere.
Enter ‘Collective Collaborations and Open Doors’ (that’s what I’m going to call it); after months, and for some, years, the frustration and `banging head against wall’ scenarios, Distance Learning begins to have credible meaning, bringing with it new opportunities in a Category ‘D’ (open) prison, to collaborate with ‘like-minded’ people and embark upon the banquet of resource-rich courses. Yes, believe it or not, it has been a simple transition, as have the strategies to make it a reality. These could easily be replicated in other institutions to provide a flourishing experience of Distance Learning.
Personally, for me, it has been the freedom and ease of transition to be able to, through Collective Collaborations, meet and chat with other Distance Learners in the prison setting. The beauty of this creates a sense of belonging, of camaraderie, fulfilling the same purpose as Student Tutorials. Rather than meeting with a Lecturer, Distance Learners are identified and invited to informal monthly forums and coffee mornings with others, creating a Distance Learning ’community’.
An IT Suite is a luxury at the best of times, but in our setting, this doubles as an informal Distance Learner discussion venue – a platform to converse and deliberate themes, issues relating to esoteric concepts, ’throw around’ academic ideas – the opportunity to talk about common problems relating to similar assignments, where people studying the same course can openly share thoughts, give tips and other helpful advice to their colleagues, in a non-threatening and inclusive environment.
Additionally, access to computers for two full days and evenings per week to complete assignments (VC – Virtual Campus); the real game-changer has been the ability to access the plethora of (whitelisted) research websites that would normally be deemed inappropriate.
Most will agree, any kind of learning, especially Distance Learning in a secure environment, opens the metaphorical doors of the mind; immensely helping with your mental health and well-being, providing much needed relief and focus from the tedium that is ’bird’. It goes even further, by providing you with the skills that will hopefully open the many doors of opportunity once you are back in the community; luxurious in the peace of mind of having a qualification.
I love this story and reflection. Being able to develop a ‘Community of Learners ‘ in prison settings is really such a good example of forward thinking. Distance learning can be difficult and lonely for anyone but within a prison environment it must be doubly so – at least we have access to Forums and tutorials to meet with others. I don’t know if this is just an example of practice in one specific prison or it it also happens in others. I’d love to think it does but that could just be wishful thinking