HMP Edinburgh and HMP & YOI Polmont
Scottish Prison Service and Fife College 

Our Partnership

Our partnership with the Scottish Prison Sevice and Fife College launched in 2011. Originally a Prison Literacy Placement Programme established by Professor Anne Schwan for students studying English, the partnership's success has led to the initiative's expansion to extend the opportunity to take part in creative work placements at HMP Edinburgh and HMP & YOI Polmont.

 Our students work with groups currently serving sentences on literacy, creative writing, photography, and film projects. This partnership widens access to creative higher education and allows our students to develop pedagogical and project management skills in a peer-to-peer arts environment.

Latest news

On The Outside

Powerful short film tells the story of four females who had previously served sentences at HMP & YOI Polmont.
 

HMP & YOI Polmont

Project develops media skills of young people at HMP & YOI Polmont 

University wins The Herald Higher Education Partnership Award

Recognition for link-up with Scottish Prison Service and Fife College.

What our partners say

"It is the strategic intention of the Scottish Prison Service Learning and Skills Strategy to ensure that everyone in our care has the opportunity to engage in creative and flexible learning that unlocks potential, inspires change and builds individual strength.

Projects such as the photography initiative in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University, and our core provides Fife College, help stimulate interest and engagement in creative activity. This invariably enhances self-esteem, literacy and communication skills providing confidence and encouragement for self-reflection and further educational and creative challenges."

- Jim King, Head of Learning Skills, Scottish Prison Service

What our students say


"Volunteering was an invaluable experience that not only gave me the opportunity to challenge my own ability to introduce and teach basic skills of photography to others, but gave the young learners a creative outlet and the opportunity to learn something new."

Jade Cofor, third-year Photography student