1. EDUCATION IN PRISON: EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK AND BELGIAN IMPLEMENTATION Pécs, 2nd April 2012 Salim Megherbi salim.megherbi@ulg.ac.be University of Liege, Belgium

2. Introduction What is possible to do during imprisonment’s time ? How is it possible to transform it in a useful time ? Why is it necessary to make it useful ?

3. Presentation contents 1. Methodology 2. International and European framework 3. Education in prison: EU’s discourse 4. Belgian implementation

4. Methodology Subject: education in Belgian and French prisons for men Data collection Qualitative method Desk study Ethnographic observations in Belgian and French prisons Semi-directive and in-depth interviews Theoretical framework Sociology of organizations (Crozier&Friedberg) Sociology of social exclusion (Castel)

5. European framework International policies The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (1957) Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners (1990) UNESCO UNESCO’s Recommendations for adult education (1985) European level European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Charter of Fundamental Rights The Council of Europe – European Prison Rules (2006 – revision): article 28 Lifelong Learning programme (Grundtvig, Leonardo, Socrates)

6. Education in prison: EU’s discourse Education: basic skills Training: vocational training Education in prison is a right for inmates To increase rehabilitation and reintegration of ex inmates in society To give a sense of purpose and direction

7. Belgian implementation 1. The prison system of Belgium 2. Socio-economic profile of inmates 3. Right to education: legal framework 4. Education in prison: concrete organization 5. Education in prison: actual problems 6. Learning in prison: a way to rehabilitation ?

8. 1.The prison system of Belgium BelgiumHungary Population11 000 00010 000 000 Prison population10 50015 000 Prison population rate per 100 000 inhabitants 98,4151,8 Prison overcrowding rate117 %139 % Number of prison3331

9. 2.Socio-economic profile of inmates in Belgium Gender 96% men 4 % women Nationality 60 % Belgian 40 % foreigners Penal status 35 % pre trial detainees 55 % convicted detainees 10 % forced psychiatric treatment Age: 32 years old in average Educational: low levels of numeracy and literacy (30 % without any diploma ; 27 % nearly illiterate)

10. 3.Right to education: legal framework Implementation of International and European framework In 2005, Belgium has promulgated a new law To enforce the European Prison Rules Based on the concept of « useful punishment » Three objectives: social reintegration, rehabilitation and reparation of damages caused to victims To create rights for inmates in order to respect a new concept, the normalization of life in prison Rights including a right to education

11. 3.Right to education: legal framework The Kingdom of Belgium is a federal state 1. The Federal level: the ministry of Justice 2. The Federated level: Flanders and Wallonia The two main objectives of the prison 1. Security: the ministry of Justice 2. Social reintegration: the federated level

12. 3.Right to education: legal framework Education in prison 1. The Ministry of Justice: to open prisons’ doors 2. The federated level: to send its teachers in prison Regulation of education’s programs 1. A political regulation, in the North 2. An “associative” and “civil” regulation, in the South

13. 4.Education in prison: concrete organization Education Basic courses: literacy, numeracy, French, refresher courses Vocational training: ICT, cookery, management, building trades, sewing Wallonia: an associative and civil regulation Flanders: a political regulation

14. 5.Education in prison: actual problems Rooms Work vs. education Transfer Prison guards and management staff Overcrowding Security vs. social reintegration

15. 6.Learning in prison: a way to rehabilitation? European Union’s discourse on education in prison: illusion ? Rehabilitation and reintegration through learning in prison ?