The Cork Education & Training Board began providing an education service to Cork Prison in 1978 on a part-time basis initially and has expanded to keep pace with the increase in prisoner population. A purpose built education unit was constructed in 1983, with specialist art, woodwork, and home economics classrooms. The student population is an exclusively male one. Education is available to all prisoners on entry to the prison.
The Education Service provides a broad programme that is quality assured, student centred and that facilitates life-long learning. We work to meet the needs of our students by helping them to respond to their sentence through personal development and positive renewal. The curriculum ranges from Basic Literacy/Numeracy up to Open University Degree, with everything else in between.
The aims of the Education Service are:
- To facilitate prisoners to achieve their full potential as learners.
- To prepare for life after release.
- To establish an appetite and capacity for lifelong learning.
Certification is offered and delivered in the following areas: Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, QQI Level 2 to Level 5, The Open University, Safe Pass and Food Hygiene.
Examples of Art & Ceramic Work.
Pre- and Post-Release Programme
A Pre- and Post-Release Programme is run as part of the Education Unit’s commitment to Lifelong Learning. This has a dedicated Coordinator funded by the Cork Local Drugs Task Force who works under the Head Teacher at the Education Unit.
Dillon’s Cross Project
The Dillon’s Cross Project is run by the Education Unit, to provide educational opportunities for the female relatives of prisoners and ex-prisoners. This programme offers a full QQI Certificate in General Learning Level 3 and is currently based in the Glen Resource Centre, Cork. It is a Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) Project.
Contact Details:
Education Unit
Ms. Edel Cunningham
Supervising Teacher
Education Unit Cork Prison,
Rathmore Road, Cork.
General Enquiries
t: (021) 450 3237
e: edel.cunningham@corketb.ie
t: (021) 451 8853
Dillon’s Cross Project
Ms. Eibhlin Davitt
Dillon’s Cross Project Co-ordinator
Education Unit Cork Prison,
Rathmore Road, Cork.
e: eibhlindavitt@hotmail.com
t: (086) 045 3015
Pre and Post Release Project
Ms. Frances Russell
Project Co-ordinator
Education Unit Cork Prison,
Rathmore Road, Cork.
e: fjrussell@irishprisons.ie
t: (021) 451 8814
