Reports into the experiences of Black prison educators

Career experiences

A pilot study conducted by NIANRO to learn more about the career experiences and strategies of a little known demographic of prison educators. The research was interested in the reasons why Black staff enter the profession, their career trajectories and how their experiences are affected by race and racism.

Based on interviews 24 prison educators, a small number of whom had left the profession, the findings paint a bleak picture of a workforce motivated to 'give back', but challenged by inadequate and, at times, unsafe teaching spaces and unsupportive managers. Concerns were also raised in relation to opaque promotion processes. 

The career experiences of Black prison educators, Mar 26 [568kb]

Mental health and wellbeing

Conducted by Education Support, the charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of prison educators. The findings are based on an online survey of 128 prison educators in the UK and four focus groups with 30 educators.

The report finds that the work-related experiences of prison educators is having an adverse impact on wellbeing and mental health of prison educators and this impact can be shown comparatively and according to the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Health Wellbeing scale.

The findings also show that many prison educators do not feel well supported and that there are differences in the working experiences of Black prison educators and those from other backgrounds.

The mental health and wellbeing of prison educators working in the UK, Mar 26 [1mb]