International Chess Day: Meet the man transforming prison education with chess

This International Chess Day (Monday July 20th), one EdTech entrepreneur reveals the profound impact of the classic game on encouraging prison-based learning

One man and his team are quietly working across British prisons preparing inmates for life on the outside with laptops they can use in their cells. The service is transforming lives, saving taxpayers millions and often starts with a game of chess.

Cambridge-based Coracle is in 90% of prisons in England and Wales. CEO James Tweed says prisoners are often reluctant to learn at first, but something happens when they start to play chess. This is exemplified by a prison inmate named Arthur*.

When Arthur got his laptop he started by playing chess, his favourite game. He beat the computer a few times and it gave him the confidence to try something new. So he started using it to put his thoughts into writing to help focus his mind and deal with difficult memories.

Now, each time Arthur writes, he says it improves his mental health, lifts his spirits and distracts him from worries about his health and mobility.

Meanwhile Robert*, who is nearly 90, told Coracle that he feels much more ‘mentally settled’, less frustrated and has found more meaning in his days after being given a laptop by playing chess and reading classic books.

Another inmate said after receiving a Coracle laptop: “I got used to using the machine just playing the chess. And that brought a little bit of a smile to my face, being able to play the chess.”

According to Tweed, the game provides a gateway to learning for many prisoners. “Chess is often a gateway to a world of learning,” Tweed explained. “A lot of prisoners start off with the computerised chess game.

“Chess is incredibly popular in prisons, but the version we offer has the dual benefit of acting as a gateway to the educational pathways available through Coracle.”

These methods have been proven worthy of investment with an independent report. The recent study, conducted by crime and justice consultancy Crest Advisory, revealed that for every £1 spent on Coracle’s services, £16 was recouped by taxpayers and the wider economy.

The report found that the service reduces assaults by almost 2,000 incidents per year, including more than 200 serious assaults. Coracle’s education technology has also helped nearly 1,200 more ex-prisoners into work within six months of release. Overall, the service was found to be worth £35m a year to taxpayers.

Tweed said of the report “We always believed we were making an impact but even I was astounded by the amount of value to taxpayers.

“Violence in prisons can be appalling both for staff and prisoners. It also prevents anything meaningful or worthwhile taking place and is very expensive in terms of medical treatment and time off work. So the fact that we are doing something that reduces this particular issue is very welcome news.”

According to Tweed, now is the time to invest further in prison education. “Our prisons are in total crisis and we desperately need a long term solution that reduces crime and lowers the prison population,” he said. “Endlessly building more prisons is not the answer.

“Investing in education is proven to be the best way to cut reoffending and we have never needed this more than we do now. I urge the government and politicians to read this report and act upon it.”

*Names have been changed due to legal reasons and to preserve anonymity