Report from the European Prison Education Association, March 2007

Overview & Synopsis

Prison education in Europe is based on an adult education model. This is clearly stated in the Council of Europe Recommendations on Education in Prison (1990). It states that "the education of prisoners must, in its philosophy, methods and content, be brought as close as possible to the best adult education in the society outside (COE, 1990: 8). Therefore any new policy initiatives in that area of adult education can impact on the activities of prison educators in Europe. In October 2006, the European Union Commission adopted a new Communication on Adult Learning. It is titled: "Adult Learning: It is never too late to learn!" The communication is the first major policy document on Adult Learning since the Communication "Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality" was published in 2001. This article discusses the newly adopted Communication and summarizes five key messages and suggestions for action.