The aim of the Prison Education Service is to provide a high quality, broad and flexible programme of education that meets the needs of those in custody through helping them:

•  Cope with their sentence
•  Achieve personal development
•  Prepare for life after release
•  Establish the appetite and capacity for lifelong learning

Full details of what is taught in prisons may be found in the Directory of
Prison Education. In broad terms, courses may be classified as
follows:

• Basic Education including Literacy and Numeracy

• General subjects e.g. English, History, Geography, Mathematics,
  Languages, Computers

• Physical Education 

• Home Economics

• Health Education

• The Arts, e.g. Visual arts, Music, Drama, Creative Writing, Photography

• Practical subjects, e.g. Woodwork, Metalwork, Horticulture

• Courses that address particular problems or needs that prisoners have,
  e.g. Pre-Release courses, Addiction Awareness, Childcare, Group Skills,
  Anger Management.

Below are links to some of the different aspects of prison education in Ireland.

Art in Prison

Prison Libraries