From February 2003 to September 2005
Project Leader(s): Jill Clark and David Moseley
Staff: Elaine Hall, Jen Miller and Vivienne Baumfield from the Centre for Learning and Teaching, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Maggie Gregson, Trish Spedding and Graeme Blanch from the University of Sunderland and Joe Elliot from the University of Durham.
Contact: Jill Clark
Sponsors: Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA)
Introduction
The research project is funded by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) and ran until September 2005. The research team, led by David Moseley and Jill Clark, consists of Elaine Hall, Jen Miller and Vivienne Baumfield from the Centre for Learning and Teaching, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Maggie Gregson, Trish Spedding and Graeme Blanch from the University of Sunderland and Joe Elliot from the University of Durham.
The project evaluated the impact of English Speaking Board (ESB) communication courses in prisons in England and Wales. The purpose of this study is ‘to build a picture of the delivery of interventions which seek to improve the thinking skills of prisoners’ and thereby to contextualise the ESB courses in oral communication. The aim of evaluating educational interventions which claim to help prisoners organise and communicate their thoughts. We were especially interested in the potential impact of these interventions on re-offending, employment and lifelong learning.
Research Paradigm
This is an example of an independent, empirical study in the challenging context of prisoner education, which fits well with the ‘What Works?’ theories and the ongoing debate more specifically made by Wilson et al. (2000) that the issue is not ‘what works’ but what works for whom, under what conditions and in what types of setting. The study is multi-method, combines both qualitative and quantitative research tools, including reconviction rates and a control sample. The research adheres to strict standards and ethical guidelines outlined by the Home Office and Youth Justice Board, details of which can be found at:. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/rds_correctional_standards.pdf
Research Methodology The research project was planned as follows:
(1) A postal survey carried out in prisons in England and Wales to ascertain which courses are believed by prison staff to help develop thinking skills;
(2) A retrospective study to evaluate the impact on recidivism of taking an ESB oral communication course during the period of the Lottery-funded project 1999-2002;
(3) A prospective experimental study was planned to test the hypothesis that, after successfully completing ESB courses, prisoners are able to communicate better with fellow inmates and prison staff; and
(4) Four case studies, using largely qualitative methods, to compare different approaches to the development of thinking skills.
References
Wilson, D. H., Gallagher, C. A. and MacKenzie, D. L. (2000). A meta-analysis of corrections-based education, vocation and work-based programs for adult offenders. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 37(4), 347-368.
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Jill Clark
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Elaine Hall
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