Digital Gardening Education at HMP Buckley Hall

How do you teach an entirely indoor lesson on horticulture when access to digital resources is limited? 

That’s the question our team at HMP Buckley Hall had to answer, when unexpected weather changes disrupted plans for a hands-on session. 

Prisoners are among the most ‘digitally excluded’ members of our society, a recent Prisons Strategy White Paper has expressed the need to increase safe digital learning opportunities, which aims to help learners prepare for jobs and reintegration into society. 

We’ve expanded our digital push to make sure we keep up with constant technology changes, so that our learners are given the best chance to advance while still in prison. 

How learners in prisons are using digital tools in cross-curriculum education

By using resources from approved “white-listed” webpages, our horticulture education team created a video using the Learning on Screen tool, featuring clips from the Garden Rescue show to kick off the lesson. 

The video inspired learners to envision their own dream gardens and engage in discussions about creative approaches to landscaping.  

After reviewing the Royal Horticulture Society website for insights on plants and garden design, students were tasked with creating their own garden plans, which will enhance their portfolios and contribute to some of their final qualifications.  

Empowering learners with digital tools to reduce reoffending

Our recent investment in digital tools has empowered our tutors to provide digital education across our curriculum. One significant challenge we face in reducing reoffending rates through prison education is that learners often fall behind while in secure facilities, as the world outside continues to evolve quickly.  

By increasing access to these digital tools, we’re levelling the playing field and giving learners the support they need to successfully rehabilitate and re-enter their communities. 

If you're interested in learning more about our latest developments in digital education, explore our recent initiatives involving ChatGPT. This innovative approach is part of our commitment to improving educational outcomes for those in prison. 

You can also stay updated with our prison education news, where we share insights and progress on our digital learning efforts - your support can help spread awareness about what we do at Novus, and the importance of education in supporting rehabilitation.