Education & Young People Community & Social Justice 2026
Prisoners' Education Trust

Impact Report 2025

Prisoners' Education Trust (PET) funds distance learning courses for people in prison who cannot access prison education through the standard system. In 2025 the charity funded 1,741 courses across 115 prisons — 200 more than the previous year — and took 1,261 calls on its Advice Line. Evidence from the Justice Data Lab shows PET courses reduce the chance of reoffending by over 20% and increase the chance of finding employment by over 20%. In August 2025 PET reached the milestone of 50,000 educational awards funded since its founding in 1989. After completing courses, 61% of learners went on to further studies, 53% applied for a job and 34% took up volunteering. New research into women's course completion and a Welsh Affairs Committee evidence submission marked the charity's growing policy influence.

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Report snapshot
1,741 distance learning courses funded in 2025 — 200 more than 2024; 115 prisons funded; 117 courses offered; 4,946 instances of information, advice and guidance provided Key Metric 1
1,261 calls taken on the Advice Line (140 more than 2024); 8,050 minutes spent on the Advice Line; 86% of learners felt able to cope with prison in a positive way Key Metric 2
PET courses reduce the chance of someone returning to prison by over 20% and increase the chance of finding employment by over 20% (Justice Data Lab); milestone of 50,000 educational awards funded since founding in 1989 reached in August 2025 Key Metric 3
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📋About

Distance learning bursaries (117 courses including NEBOSH, management, nutrition, business start-up); Advice Line for prisoners seeking education support; prison staff resources (new bitesize videos and information cards); new research project on women learners' course completion; Welsh Affairs Committee evidence submission; policy advocacy and media work; Summer Appeal fundraising (raised £20,127) Custom geography from upload: England & Wales

📊Key Metrics

1,741 distance learning courses funded in 2025 — 200 more than 2024; 115 prisons funded; 117 courses offered; 4,946 instances of information, advice and guidance provided Key Metric 1
1,261 calls taken on the Advice Line (140 more than 2024); 8,050 minutes spent on the Advice Line; 86% of learners felt able to cope with prison in a positive way Key Metric 2
PET courses reduce the chance of someone returning to prison by over 20% and increase the chance of finding employment by over 20% (Justice Data Lab); milestone of 50,000 educational awards funded since founding in 1989 reached in August 2025 Key Metric 3

✅Key Outcomes

  • 50,000 educational awards funded since 1989 — milestone reached August 2025; top courses: NEBOSH HSE Award (270 learners), NEBOSH National General Certificate (78 learners), Nutrition to Support Physical Activity (60 learners), Business Start-up (58 learners), CMI Management Certificate (57 learners)
  • After completing a PET course: 61% went on to further studies; 53% applied for a job; 34% took up volunteering — demonstrating sustained impact on progression beyond the course itself
  • New research project launched into why women's course completion rates are lower; evidence submitted to Welsh Affairs Committee inquiry on prison education's role in rehabilitation and parity of services in England and Wales

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