Ms Catherine Byrne:

That is a big question. Many actions have been carried through from the previous strategy of 2016. In general, they inform our daily practice. One area where we have a major impact is that we help people cope with imprisonment. Education is a safe space. It is a positive place. We hear all the time that people did not know this and that they only came to school because they wanted to get out of the yard or stay away from people. When they come to school, they find themselves in a new space that they never experienced before. It is quiet and bright. There is art on the walls and there are books available. People talk to you differently and some people do not wear uniforms. For the morning they are in school,, prisoners feel that they are free and are not in prison and can cope with the day. They also do subjects that challenge their brain. We do creative arts, general subjects, exams, meditation, mindfulness and well-being classes, all of which are part of the junior cycle curriculum and would be part of any education programme. That is a major area.

Developing an appetite for lifelong learning is hugely important and, as Ms O'Connell said earlier, we are very aware of that. A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. When we meet, greet and walk together with prisoners, we tell them that we can help them to address this. People come to school for all kinds of reasons. This may be the first time they have had the opportunity to take the lead in their learning. Even if we have this conversation with them and they are moved from our prison or released the next day, that is part of developing an interest in lifelong learning because they have taken a step in that direction.