Making Space to Learn: Prison-less Places

Authors

• Nicole Patrie, MacEwan UniversityFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0003-9701

Keywords

prison education, learning dimensions, learning spaces, liminality, relationality

Abstract

Diversifying modalities or modes of program delivery inside prisons is necessary and important to increase access to programs; however, this also demands that learning is intended to occur in most places of a prison. In this paper I present the concept prison-less places, relational, temporary places where the prison is less noticeable and where learning becomes possible. Exploring three dimensions of learning, I argue that the existence of prison-less places brings balance to these dimensions and is crucial for learning to occur inside prisons. As the boundaries between program and prison space become more fluid and permeable with modalities such as e-learning, self-study, and immersive programs, investigating how we can both cultivate and protect prison-less places becomes incredibly important.

Author Bio

Nicole Patrie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Safety and Justice Studies at MacEwan University, and a PhD candidate in Adult, Community and Higher Education at the University of Alberta. Nicole has been involved in prison education at all levels: as a teacher, administrator, and researcher for over 15 years. Her research is on education and learning in the criminal justice system, specifically educational spaces in prison environments and professional development for prison educators.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25771/wz4w-wq03