Effects of COVID-19 on Correctional Education Programs

Overview & Synopsis

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about massive change to adult education programs, with many programs either closing or pivoting to virtual instruction almost overnight. Programs in correctional settings, where internet access is less available, appeared particularly hard hit with pandemic closures. In January 2022, the Prison Literacy Taskforce of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) conducted a survey to identify what was happening to correctional education programs during the pandemic. This article presents survey details and results, including descriptive findings and relationships among survey items. The article also presents and discusses implications and the lasting impact on correctional education programs, educators and administrators.