Lifelong Learning Programs in Prison: Influence of Social Networks on Participation

This paper investigates the relationships between social contacts of prisoners and participation in lifelong learning activities. Literature on factors related to the decision to participate mainly concentrate on personal or on organizational level. Factors affecting the relational level are seldom taken into consideration. Based on a literature review and analysis of focus groups, the findings demonstrate the positive as well as the negative relationships on a wide range of social networks. The discussion highlights the need to acknowledge the importance of social networks and demonstrates how these findings may be implemented in order to optimize lifelong learning programs in prison.