Experiential education for schools in prison

Abstract

The article presents an experiential training programme aimed at teachers working in schools within Italian prisons, with a focus on the Provincial Centres for Adult Education (CPIA) in Lazio. The lack of specific training for prison teachers is highlighted as a limitation to achieving the rehabilitative goal of the penitentiary system. Since 2018, a series of projects has sought to address this gap, culminating in a training programme conducted between February and May 2023. This programme, based on experiential learning and Kolb's theoretical model, involved 12 teachers from 5 CPIAs, with both in-person and remote activities. The objectives included acquiring andragogical skills and techniques to enhance prisoners' previous experience. The programme employed methods such as team building, simulations, and autobiographical narration to foster critical reflection and practical learning.