There are many interesting conferences and events for professionals working in the field of detention. These gatherings often focus on key areas such as education, ICT, security, well-being, and other relevant topics within the detention environment.
Industry organizations like EPEA, ICPA, and EuroPris host valuable events at the European level, bringing together professionals from various countries to attend lectures and workshops, network, and exchange knowledge. In this article, we highlight the work and impact of the EPEA (European Prison Education Association).
The EPEA is an organisation made up of prison educators, administrators, governors, researchers and other professionals whose interests lie in promoting and developing education and related activities in prisons throughout Europe in accordance with the recommendations of the Council of Europe. EPEA is recognised by the Council of Europe as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). It is commited to working with prison administrations in Europe to further its aims, but is totally free-standing and independent.Apart from serving the aims of the organisation by encouraging the formation of national branches, etc. the EPEA organises a major international conference on prison education every two years.
The EPEA Training Conference 2025 in Skopje, North Macedonia, November 11th-15th: https://epea.org/conferences/
The EPEA Key Activities are:
- Professional Networking and Development
• EPEA connects a network of professional teachers, educators and researchers across Europe, offering opportunities to collaborate and exchange best practice.
• EPEA holds webinars and conferences and publishes newsletters focused on prison education to promote and share new practices in prison education which contribute to positive outcomes for students in custody and after their release. - Access to Resources
• EPEA promotes research papers, reports and publications on prison education.
• EPEA provides access to a comprehensive database of educational materials and resources tailored to prison education. - Advocacy and Representation
• EPEA represents its members at the European level, ensuring that the interests of prison teachers, educators and students are considered in policy discussions.
• EPEA offers advocacy efforts to improve prison education systems and practices. - Collaborative Projects
• EPEA aims to participate in collaborative projects and research initiatives, offering a platform for dissemination and discussion amongst a wide audience.
• EPEA promotes case studies and opportunities for cultural exchange to learn about different practices within prison education across Europe. - Strong membership organisation
• EPEA provides significant support and enhancement to the professional lives of those involved in prison education, contributing to personal growth, improved educational practices, and better outcomes for incarcerated individuals.
• EPEA recognises and celebrates outstanding contributions to prison education.
