Prison andragogy or learning opportunities in Hungarian prisons

Successful reintegration is the goal of prison education in Hungarian penitentiaries. Prisons support prisoners with primary school education, high school education, and vocational training. These forms of learning within prison are implemented to prepare prisoners for their release, so they can integrate into the labor market afterwards (Penal Act CCXL, 2013). In the context of successful reintegration, we assume that prisoners are capable of being trained. Based on this supposition, three studies were conducted on learning and education in prison at Eötvös Loránd University Doctoral School. First, theoretical research was conducted about prison: the learning possibilities of prison, examining what it provides, what it allows, what it prevents. Second, a survey was conducted on some prisoners' perceptions of their learning opportunities. Third, an interview was carried out that has examined the perceptions of prison learning with some educators teaching in the penitentiary. Our studies on prison learning have confirmed some of our hypotheses reflected in the following statements. In Hungary, the training of prisoners is an essential part of prison life, furthermore, education can be implemented through pieces of training that can be essential tools for personal development in prison. Although most prisoners look for learning opportunities, the way they approach learning is seemingly different. Teachers who work in prison say there is a huge possibility in educating prisoners, but they would require more tools and a more functional learning environment in order to do their best.