As we mark International Day of Education, Daniel Baril looks back at the Montreal International Conference on Education in Prison, held last October, which presented an inspiring vision for the future of prison education. Drawing on his closing remarks, he emphasizes the profound ways in which prison education upholds the universal right to education, ensuring inclusivity for all.

Education in prison is not merely a tool for social rehabilitation but a fundamental human right. At the Montreal International Conference on Education in Prison, this central message resonated as speakers emphasized the necessity of recognizing incarcerated people as rightful holders of this right. Access to education in the prison environment, often characterized by exclusion, must be re-examined through this human-rights lens.
The conference highlighted the limitations of correctional systems in providing adequate educational programmes. While education aids social reintegration, its value transcends utilitarian purposes. It is an essential condition for personal success and well-being, allowing inmates to rebuild their lives, find purpose and regain dignity. As articulated by several speakers, we must view education as a vehicle to empower prisoners for personal and societal transformation, with the aim to prevent their stigmatisation and exclusion in the system and in society.
Research underscored the pivotal and transformative role of prison education as education equips prisoners with more than skills; it provides purpose and hope, allowing them to rebuild their lives. Programmes must transcend professional rehabilitation, focusing on holistic personal development. Guest speakers showcased the transformative potential of prison education. Artistic and educational programmes were described as powerful avenues for restoring prisoners’ self-expression and identity. Collaborative projects involving academics, activists and artists demonstrated how education can resist institutional constraints and help incarcerated individuals to grow personally.
The conference also explored varied teaching methods. Restorative justice, artistic approaches and critical pedagogies emerged as crucial tools for moving beyond purely functional views of prison education. Workshops demonstrated how art, reading and learning foster intellectual, emotional and social change. These activities enable inmates to communicate, reclaim their past and construct positive self-images, even in restrictive environments.
The global perspective on prison education revealed shared struggles, such as limited resources and accreditation challenges, alongside opportunities such as partnerships between prisons and universities. These collaborations deliver high-quality training comparable to conventional academic programmes, providing links to the outside world and enriching the educational landscape within correctional facilities.
A particularly noteworthy aspect was the leadership potential of formerly incarcerated individuals. Their involvement in designing and implementing educational initiatives ensures relevance and effectiveness. As mentors and leaders, these individuals challenge perceptions and cultivate a culture of empowerment and hope within prisons, inspiring peers to embrace personal development.
In conclusion, the symposium envisioned a future where prison education is not limited to rehabilitation but celebrated as a pursuit of dignity, liberty and personal fulfillment. In environments defined by deprivation, education serves as a transformative force, empowering inmates to reclaim their identities and lives. Upholding the universal right to education within correctional facilities is essential for fostering a more equitable and compassionate society.
Despite the challenges, prison educators tirelessly champion this vision. Their commitment to education as a tool for dignifying and transforming people stands as a testament to the power of learning to liberate, restore hope and reaffirm humanity, even behind bars.
Daniel Baril is Chair of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning