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WayOut TV Celebrates 10 Years

share October 25, 2024Posted by: Jenna

This October marks a remarkable milestone—the 10th anniversary of WayOut TV. Over the past decade, WayOutTV, Way2Learn and WAYS have redefined prison education, enabling prisoners to access training and education in their cell, in their own time. These platforms help to transform prisoner's lives, assisting in their rehabilitation and education to increase their life chances, employability options and therefore decrease re-offending rates.

As we celebrate, we reflect on the evolution, achievements, and plans for the future of these channels.

The Origins of WayOut TV and Way2Learn

WayOut TV was launched with a visionary goal—to provide prisoners with educational and rehabilitative content that they could easily access within their cells. The availability of digital devices and internet access of any kind is extremely limited in prison, for obvious reasons. But technology can make a huge difference in delivering education which is why many prisons have started using technology such as WayOut TV. Recognising that many prisoners are hard to reach through traditional classroom methods, the platform offers bite-sized, video-based courses broadcast directly to in-cell televisions. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including foundational skills like English and maths, employability training, and even mental health awareness. The channel also allows prison Governors and management teams to instantly communicate with their prisoners directly in their cells along with regular faith-based programming, exercise workouts, local advice and employment opportunities being streamed daily.

Way2Learn complements WayOut TV by offering CPD-accredited distance learning courses that allow prisoners to study at their own pace. Developed in collaboration with The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), the courses are designed to boost employability, confidence, and progression towards further education. By doing these courses, prisoners earn dual certification—a CPDUK certificate for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points and a university-backed certificate from UWE Bristol. These credentials are invaluable when learners face the challenge of re-entering the job market post-release.

Jezz Wright is the Director of Content & Digital Strategy at PeoplePlus and heads up our in-cell learning operation. Back in 2014 Jezz started WayOut TV by launching two national in-cell TV channels for prisoners across the UK. The aim of these unique channels was to encourage those reluctant learners to engage in a new learning journey and in doing so, increase their employment options. Previously having worked as a Television producer Jezz joined PeoplePlus as a Curriculum Manager for Media, IT and Enterprise and immediately saw the need for a joined up in-cell solution to support important internal communications and prisoner-focused self-study courses.

Key Achievements Over the Decade

The impact of WayOut TV and Way2Learn is hard to overstate.

Our success is driven by partnerships – not only with external awarding bodies, but with the Ministry of Justice, prison staff and the learning support teams, who actively promote the courses creating a strong motivation to pursue continuous learning.

The testimonials from prison staff and learners alike are compelling. Elizabeth Williams, Learning and Skills Manager at HMP Erlestoke, highlighted how Way2Learn provides an essential learning resource, particularly for self-isolators or individuals who find traditional education intimidating. She praised the program for increasing self-confidence and self-esteem, stating that many learners have gone beyond the course materials to deepen their knowledge independently by borrowing books from the library.

“Way2Learn is a valuable asset for the prison in providing a different and accessible avenue for learning for the whole population, regardless of the learning ability or need.”

Sharon Von Holtz, Distance Learning Coordinator at HMP Bullingdon, emphasised how Way2Learn fills crucial gaps in the prison education system. By offering a productive way to use lock-up time, it significantly reduces frustration among inmates and opens pathways to further formal education, such as courses with the Open University.

HMP Channing's Wood reported a 95% pass rate in September alone, with over 310 answer booklets returned. Staff and prisoners alike value the structured approach to learning and the positive impact on behaviour and mental health. The courses have also inspired prisoners to pursue vocational training, helping them prepare for life beyond prison, as demonstrated by those who have progressed to classroom-based education.

The incentives and certificates awarded through Way2Learn have been a particularly powerful motivator. Many inmates, for the first time in their lives, are experiencing the satisfaction of receiving a formal qualification, which boosts their confidence and sets them on a path toward further development.

Phil Sanders - Deputy Governor HMP / YOI Bedford commented “Overall, WayOutTV has transformed the way education can be delivered in HMP Bedford, making it more accessible and effective, giving individuals the skills they need to unlock their potential, and ultimately contributing to the successful rehabilitation of our prisoners.”

Andy, a former prisoner told us: “During some difficult times in my cell, I would switch over to the WayOut TV channel. Some of the education content would get me thinking about how I could use my time to be more productive and increase hope. There would also be practical support around mindfulness and even exercise which improved my mental health and mood. It’s a great tool that delivers hope and knowledge”

Looking Ahead

As WayOut TV embarks on its second decade, the focus remains on continuous improvement, with plans to further expand course offerings, enhance the user experience, and deepen partnerships with prison staff and educational institutions. Our aim remains to contribute to wider social equality for those disenfranchised learners, focusing on prison education in the first instance. Plans to increase the provision in 2025 with new solutions and product enhancements are now well underway and are at the exciting stage of being pilot-ready.

By staying responsive to learner needs and aligning with industry trends, our platforms are not only enhancing rehabilitation efforts but also preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society.

Director Jezz Wright concludes: “I’m extremely proud that the small team here at WayOut TV have managed to make a such a positive contribution to improving the smooth running of HMP establishments with an excellent video production service for local messaging. But I’m perhaps even more heartened that we’ve assisted prisoners to reevaluate their life choices, employability options and contribute to their overall rehabilitation with excellent video-based learning. Prison education needs to be inventive and proactive in reaching those who previously did not engage with learning and I look forward to continuing on that mission to ‘level-up’ and innovate in this specialist field.”

share October 25, 2024Posted by: Jenna

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