How prison education could help us all with digital distractions

James Tweed, of edtech company Coracle, has pioneered offline learning in British prisons via specially designed laptops. Here, he explains how computers designed for inmates could help us all focus in a world filled with digital distractions.

Tweed said: “We are all struggling with online intrusions, it’s a major challenge for society as a whole. Interestingly, the one group who suffer least are prisoners as access to the internet is banned in British prisons.

“To help prisoners learn, we created an offline digital learning platform where laptops are pre-loaded with content for learners.

“However, I believe this system is easily transferable to multiple scenarios, including schools, workplaces and homes. Crucially, it would mean people can use computers without being bombarded with all the clutter of the internet.”

JAMES TWEED AND CORACLE

James Tweed is the founder and CEO of Cambridge-based digital learning company Coracle, which provides inmates at 90 prisons in England and Wales with access to education in their cells through laptops. In April 2023, Coracle won a King’s Award for promoting opportunity. Its founder’s mission is to end digital exclusion.

Coracle’s tech platform means prisoners can safely access content from organisations such as The Open University and Prisoners’ Education Trust, without using the internet. It is one of the few companies permitted by the Ministry of Justice and HM Prisons and Probation Service to provide prisoners with laptops for education