Vocational Education and Training in Finnish Open Prisons: A Multilevel Approach to Young Incarcerated People’s Barriers to Participation

Jaakko Hyytiä, Tampere UniversityFollow
Paula Alanen, Tampere UniversityFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

Jaakko Hyytiä: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2802-8326

Paula Alanen: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4146-6531

Keywords

Barriers to Adult Education (AE), Low Educational Level, Participation in AE, Prison Education, Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Abstract

Having relevant skills and education are considered the best indicators of reintegration into society after release from prison, but majority of young, incarcerated people have a lower education level and participate less in education compared to the same age population at large. This article focuses on finding solutions for overcoming the barriers to prison education in Finland. We explored those barriers, asking: What are the perceptions and experiences of barriers to education among prisoner-students, educators, and other professionals engaged in vocational prison education in Finland? The research data consists of 29 interviews of vocational education and training (VET) students (11), teachers, prison staff and other experts (18). The analysis is based on a framework of the comprehensive lifelong learning (LLL) participation model (Boeren, 2017). The analysis demonstrated that the conflicting policies and practices of education and jurisdiction, the two sectors involved in prison education, challenge low educated individuals’ successful entry to and participation in education while incarcerated.

Author Bio

Jaakko Hyytiä is a PhD student in the Doctoral Programme of Education and Society at Tampere University. His research interests lie in adult education and learning, prevention of social exclusion and educational equity. His current focus is on developing up- and reskilling services for the long-term unemployed.

Paula Alanen (PhD) works as a Research Manager for a Finnish work integration social enterprise, Silta-Valmennusyhdistys. She is a research partner in DIG1t0-project that focuses on ADM & digitized public employment & education services and their consequences for individuals in fragile conditions.