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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: The Northern Ireland Prison Service Is undertaking a review of Distance Learning. In Northern Ireland, distance learning utilises information and communications technology to provide innovative ways to learn, including e-learning. A variety of media is used, to assist with distance learning and to provide communication between learners and tutors, which include: traditional written materials, such as books and manuals, television and radio broadcasts, online information and email support. In order to facilitate with our review, we would be grateful if you could answer the following questions:
In 2017, 10 prisoners engaged in distance learning, in 2018 – 18 and in 2019 – 22 prisoners.
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?Mostly inmates engage in distance learning.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?It is possible to receive the higher education through distance learning – in bachelor programmes, as well as the 1st and 2nd level higher education.
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?The following distance learning topics are offered: business management, legal science, computer science and information technologies, transport and business logistics, software engineer and internal network LAN management, business management, medium and large business, construction, management, human resource management, commercial activities, social assistance organization and real estate management and administration.
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?Normative acts do not provide an obligation of imprisonment place to ensure a possibility for obtaining the higher education by distance learning. However, when assessing the wishes of inmates and considering the prison possibilities, there are no obstacles found to this type of training and inmates are supported in receiving education. Prisoners, who are involved in obtaining the higher education, study by distance learning. Study materials are delivered to the learner via postal services, through prison administration or when a representative of a higher education institution arrives at the prison.
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?The distance learning course fee is paid by a prisoner or his/her relatives.
University studies: 1876 males and 129 females. Secondary studoes: 1315 males and 153 females.
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?Both are included.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?National Distance Education University (Uned) bachelor's degree studies and second stage of Basic Education.
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?Wide range of bachelor degrees and secondary education subjects are offered.
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?The Spanish Prison Service provides access to these resources under the supervision of a qualified professional.
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?The Spanish Prison Service is responsible for payment of the distance learning degree courses fees.
In 2017- 6 prisoners, in 2018 – 5, in 2019- 4.
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?Education is compulsory for persons under the age of 16. All pre-trial detainees and inmates willing to study at the university or college may engage in distance learning on their own.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?University or high education (bachelor’s degree or diploma)
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?All topics included in the curricula of the university or high school
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?The organization of studies at the universities or colleges are not regulated in our legislation. In each specific case a penitentiary establishment makes an individual decision taking into consideration the capacities and conditions of the establishment as well as conditions and possibilities of the service provider. Inmates’ studies at the university or college are welcome and encouraged. Penitentiary establishment provide inmates with access to limited internet in the premises of the penitentiary library, arrange meetings with academics, research materials are provided via administration.
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?Inmates/ their relatives pay for the studies.
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In Catalan prisons, over the last 3 academic years 837 inmates have registered to follow university courses and other higher non compulsory education studies using the distance learning option. • Vocational training studies: 498 • Secondary education: 114 • University degrees: 225
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?Inmates that register for distance learning are mostly sentenced but inmates on remand are also offered the possibility to engage in these studies. The inmates that are involved in distance learning usually already hold basic compulsory education degrees and have a drive for improving and getting to complete higher education degrees that are offered in Catalan prisons.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?The education offered through distance learning is listed as follows: preparation programmes to access vocational training courses of mid or superior grade, preparation programmes to access university for those older than 25 and/or 45 years. These programmes do not provide any particular certificate but a pass or not pass mark to access the chosen vocational or university degree. Also vocational training programmes of mid or superior grade which allow to obtain the appointed official diplomas. High school degree (equivalent to the UK A levels) which of course, leads the person to obtain the corresponding official high school diploma. University degrees which lead to the degree of the chosen discipline.
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?The topics and studies on distance learning provided are the same as those offered by the disciplines, trainings and degrees that are officially offered by the Spanish central Estate and the Autonomous communities for the rest of the community.
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?Those inmates engaged in distance education receive the support, the supervision and the monitoring by the teaching team in every education centre located inside every prison. These teachers provide the inmates with the necessary resources for them to complete their studies. They also support the inmates with the process to sign up for the specific distance courses, they book computer rooms or alike for the inmates to have a place to study, they purchase books or other materials needed for the inmate to do their assignments.
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?Except for the university degrees, the rest of the programmes and studies are for free for inmates. Those inmates willing to do a university degree have to cover the registration fees themselves as well as the materials necessary to follow the courses. The Department of Justice provides the prison schools with all expendable material required to carry out the programmes, both for conducting every lesson in the rooms and for the individual inmates.
SPS generally distinguishes between Higher Learning which is our degree level studies through collaboration with Open University Scotland and Fife College; and Distance Learning which provides access to lower levels with access through Dumfries College, Fife College, Skills Network, Highlands and Islands College, OU and Dumfries and Galloway. Combining both types of what essentially is distance learning, the figures for 2018-19 and 2019-20 are 137 and 100 respectively.
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?To access higher level learning a student must be serving an appropriate custodial term to allow completion of the course. Accordingly, higher level distance learning is generally confined to long-term prisoners. General or lower level Distance Learning is undertaken by both long-term and short-term prisoners,but not remand prisoners.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?Distance Learning subjects generally start at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 4 (equivalent to SCE General level) up to Higher National diploma (HND).
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?Distance learning subjects include Bookkeeping, Psychology, Sociology, Nutrition, Mental Health Awareness and courses concerning disorders – Autism/ dementia etc. Our higher level OU distance learning includes: History, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts and Environmental Sciences.
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?Courses are through correspondence with learning support provided by Fife College. FC Intranet also holds supplementary materials provided by the OU.
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?Payment for Distance Learning lower level is generally through an Individual Training Accounts managed by Skills Development Scotland. The subject matter has recently been revised with more prominence given to employment based courses. For higher level learners undertaking degree level study they are eligible for a SAAS grant for fees. Administration and support is paid by SPS as part of the SPS Higher Education Access Scheme (HEAS).
The education of inmates is one of top priorities for treatment of inmates within the prison system of the Slovak Republic. However, it is not primarily carried out in the distance form. The education is ensured in the premises of prisons personally by the pedagogical staff of external educational institutions on the basis of education contracts concluded with individual prison facilities. External educational institutions and their pedagogical staff must meet the criteria for education stated by the laws of the Slovak Republic. Study materials and other equipment necessary for education are provided by external educational institutions (education is free). The inmates can complete compulsory education, retraining course, course to increase or expand qualification, initial training or apprenticeship in selected fields of study (cook, mason, painter, carpenter, electrician, etc.) or study at a secondary school. We do not ensure the study of inmates at the university. Education is accessible to all inmates who have preconditions for it and also on the basis of their individual capabilities. From the certification of completion of studies issued by the educational institutions shall not be clear that the inmates completed the studies during their stay in prison. In 2017 – the total number of inmates was 10 270 and 617 of them were included to different forms of education. In 2018 – the total number of inmates was 10 347 and 678 of them were included to different forms of education. In 2019 – the total number of inmates was 10 558 and 671 of them were included to different forms of education. Inmates have the possibility to be educated also in the distance form (through correspondence). However, this type of education is carried out individually and therefore we do not record the number of inmates educated this way. Inmates do not have access to the internet. In case, the inmate engages in education individually (by distance form), he/she has the possibility to communicate with educational institutions through correspondence without limitations. The inmate can receive the study materials also through the special parcel that is determined for education purposes.
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?See answer to question No. 1.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?See answer to question No. 1.
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?See answer to question No. 1.
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?See answer to question No. 1.
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?See answer to question No. 1.
In Belgium, the communities (Vlaamse Gemeenschap, Communauté francophone, Deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft) are responsable for education. These different administrations can provide this numbers. This is not in hands of MoJ. Normally all prisoners can follow courses. (Fysically or on on distance) Justice is responsible for the infrastructure to make the education possible.
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included? What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree? What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider? How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support? Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
Eighty six (86) people have engaged in distance learning with Open University over the last 3 years, this number counts a person only once where they have completed more than one module
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?In general it is sentenced prisoners who typically engage in distance learning, but it is also open to remand prisoners. Both sentenced and remand prisoners attend local education programmes within each of the prisons in Ireland.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?All levels are offered to prisoners up to degree level.
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?Our current provider is Open University and they offer a diverse range of higher education modular programmes - arts, science, business and finance, sport and fitness, social studies etc.
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?Students in custody can access course and research materials in the form of books, internet (permitted sites only) and via local and remote Tutor support
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?The Irish Prison Service pays all of the course fees
We have one detainee who got his “Access to University Studies Diploma” through distance learning and another one will start it soon. We also have other distance learning programs, especially with participation of the employee chamber, the Chamber of Commerce and several schools. 2017/2018: 4 prisoners took long distance courses 2018/2019: 3 prisoners took long distance courses 2019/2020: No prisoner took long distance courses
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?In principle, those who engage in distance learning are sentenced prisoners but it's settled on a case-by-case basis.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?We propose mainly language courses, computer lessons, accounting courses, law classes, marketing courses and economics courses. But the prisoners also have the possibility to get a “Access to University Studies Diploma”.
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?/
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?The teachers organize the courses and send the course materials to the detainees.
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?The prisoners have to pay for the courses.
In general the categories of students-detainees include the students in educational units that operate in the detainment facilities (elementary and secondary schools, Second Chance Schools, Vocational Training Institutes), as well as the detainees under the status of “individually taught” (in the detainment facilities that lack secondary education units) and those participating in tertiary education. The Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) no. 29809/2015 (Β΄1368/03.07.2015) regulates distance learning of detainees-students in tertiary education. Based on data provided by the detainment facilities, the total number of prisoners-students in tertiary education (universities) at the beginning of the academic years 2017- 18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 is 261 .
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?According to article 1 of the above JMD, pre-trial (remand) or convicts (sentenced) detainees, who are students of university institutions, are entitled to attend classes, workshops as well as to participate in examinations also on distance, if they wish so or in case their application for educational leave has been rejected (by the competent Council, as defined under Penitentiary Code). Within this context and according to information received from detention facilities the categories of detainees involved in distance education are: pre-trial detainees (remand), convicts (sentenced), greeks, foreigners, people with special needs (disabilities), HIV positive persons, former drug users, members of treatment programs, elderly persons.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?Distance learning leads to the acquisition of a university degree, such as bachelor’s and master’s degree and a doctorate.
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?The topics offered are equivalent to those applied to the students of tertiary education in the country. The range of offered topics depends on the interests of the detained student and especially on the courses of the university faculty to which he is admitted. A wide range of topics is, usually, offered such as: sciences, theoretical sciences and applied sciences (e.g. studies in engineering, business administration, greek culture, electronics, architecture and interior design, political science and public administration, nutrition and dietetics, forestry and wood carving etc)
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?Article 4 of the above JMD provides, between others, that controlled internet access for educational reasons to students-detainees should be ensured in special designated areas in the detainment facility, in the presence of educational or penitentiary staff (as sociologists/social workers) of the detainment facility. Within this context and according to information received from detention facilities, detainees attend classes and are granted access to the materials needed for their studies in a variety of ways. The main ones are the following: (a) Through controlled internet access, with the use of computers, in a specially designated area. (b) Through online databases and libraries (c) By using university textbooks (d) Through university virtual classrooms (e) In some cases, detainees have the right to attend live courses under electronic surveillance It is also noted from the detainment facilities that the main access to course/educational material is based on studying books. The use of computers for studying under supervision is provided on certain days and hours. Internet access is provided under surveillance for educational reasons (downloading of papers/books, examinations)
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?In general, detainees enjoy the benefits of public education (of all levels –primary/secondary/tertiary-) as all citizens in the country. In the above case, generally, there are no tuition fees for public university studies (with exceptions), while at the same time scholarships are offered by the State Scholarship Institution (IKY) as well as by the Greek Open University (EAP). In particular, within the context of 2016 Agreement of Cooperation between the Ministry/General Secretariat for Anticrime Policy and the Greek Open University, twenty scholarships are granted for undergraduate studies to twenty detainees annually. In relation to the above, it is noted that EAP studies are based entirely on distance learning and entails course fees. Finally, the detainee him/herself is responsible for the payment of fees as concerns any educational process that requires fees ( if he/she wishes to attend such university courses)
0 before march 2020, and since then only as a sustitute for normal learning programs. We have not developed a distance learning program, but during the Covid 19-pandemic some of the incarcerated people have been able to use Ipads for learning purposes, enabling them to get in contact 1-1 with their teacher. We don't have an exact number of prisoners, but some of the bigger prisons have had this opportunity.
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?For the Ipad-solution mentioned above, there is no difference in categories of prisoners (both remand and sentenced prisoners could attende if they were participants of the school training program).
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?Certificate/Upper secondary school, as it is provided from the school system in society (they have their units inside the prison). No such program for distance learning on higher levels pr. now.
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?Not known.
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support? Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?Since the last decade it has been possible for prisoners to use an online e-learning platform called “elis” in all 28 prisons in Austria. After every prison has different educational con-cepts and training opportunities that can be used in different frequencies, there is no infor-mation about the number of people who use the platform. Only overall accesses are registered.
What categories of prisoners engage in distance learning and are both remand and sentenced prisoners included?If there are no legal or security concerns, basically every prisoner has access to the e-learning platform in the presence of a tutor.
What level of education is offered through distance learning e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree?Via the elis e-learning platform prisoners in the prison Suben have the opportunity to take part in distance learning at the Fernuniversität Hagen. Courses are offered for regular stu-dents in bachelor’s and master’s degree at four different faculties as follows: Faculty of Economics: - Economics Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science: - Business Informatics - Mathematics Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies: - Cultural studies with a focus on history, literature or philosophy - psychology - educational sciences Faculty of Law Furthermore, they have the possibility to follow about 1648 individual courses in academy studies. Access requirements for inmates: 1) School leaving examination (“Matura”) 2) Professional qualification (= practicing a profession of at least 3 years that fits the field of study) 3) Academy courses are available for all interested prisoners without special qualifications 4) Foreign students need a language competence test level C1 or C2 and a notarized trans-lation of their certificates.
What range of topics is offered by the distance learning provider?The following teaching and learning materials are available via the elis e-learning plat-form: -Information about COVID-19 - School: literacy and German as a foreign language (Deutsch als Fremdsprache-DaF) - School: German as a Medium of Instruction (Deutsch im Fachunterricht-DFU) - School: mathematics - School: foreign languages - School: history, politics and economy - School: geography - School: natural sciences - School: religion and ethics - Daily life: life together - Daily life: spare time - Daily life: health - Daily life: learning to learn - Daily life: various self-tests (vocational orientation, computer, German, naturalization, memory, personality) - Working life: occupational safety - Working life: vocational orientation - Working life: application training - job search - Working life: economics and social studies - Working life: building trade - Working life: electrical engineering - Working life: landscaping and agriculture - Working life: facility cleaning and building technology - Working life: hotel- and catering industry - Working life: metal and engineering - Working life: care and health - Working life: transport and logistics - Working life: business and public administration - Computer: IT-competence - 10-finger-writing - Computer: IT-competence – PC basics, PC operating systems - Computer: IT-competence – word, excel, power point, access, outlook, MS pro-ject - Computer: IT-competence – IT-security 2.0 - Computer: IT-competence – GIMP - Computer: IT-competence – ECDL - Computer: Media competence - Media libraries - Basic education - for the job - Basic education - reading and writing - Basic education - arithmetic - News - Distance learning Fernuni Hagen (for Suben prisoners only) (see above) - Reference books and material
How do prisoners access course and research materials e.g. books, computer, internet, tutor support?Every prison has elis-premises and computers with elis-access. These are used with different frequencies depending on the prison and staff resources. The prisoners can use the platform in presence of a tutor or teacher with an user-access to the elis e-learning plat-form. Every tutor with access to the system has experience with the elis platform and can guide the prisoners. Additionally every year, further training for the e-learning platform is offered to tutors.
Who is responsible for payment of the distance learning course fees?The Federal Ministry of Justice is responsible for the payment of the elis e-learning platform.