New Opportunities: Higher Education Pathways for People with Convictions
Maynooth University is delighted to invite you to Renehan Hall for a day dedicated to driving sectoral reform, redevelopment and sharing research and practice for students with convictions.
Morning Session:
Launch of ‘Boxed Out’, Irish Research Council (IRC) funded research conducted by Dr Joe Garrihy & Dr Ciara Bracken-Roche, Maynooth University School of Law & Criminology and supported by the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) on access to Higher Education for people with convictions (PWC) This session will be of particular interest to policymakers, academic researchers and senior staff across the Prison, Probation, further and higher education sectors.
- To drive sectoral reform and redevelopment, this collaborative study with IPRT as a civic society partner constitutes the first empirical research on HEI admissions policies and practices regarding PWCs in Ireland. Education is a protective factor which reduces recidivism and supports desistance from crime and reintegration, but barriers and stigmatisation are pronounced for PWCs. This launch presents the evidence base for reform and fair admissions policies and practices necessary to counteract the primacy of risk-based approaches. Policy recommendations will be presented with reflections from key stakeholders.
Afternoon Session:
Recognising that front-line staff are crucial links for many who wish to explore educational pathways, our three-afternoon workshops will outline how current collaborations between the Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP), The Irish Prison Service (IPS), The Probation Service and the City of Dublin Education and Training Board support people with convictions. This session will be of particular interest to practitioners and policymakers across the Prison, Probation, Further and Higher Education, Community and Voluntary sectors.
- Workshop 1: MAP Mentoring Models of Engagement - Wheatfield Story Exchange, Brenda Fitzpatrick, Head Teacher, Wheatfield Prison; MAP Student Mentor & Narrative 4 Story Exchange Facilitator; Gemma Lynch, Outreach Officer, MAP.
- Workshop 2: MAP High-Quality Transition Supports - The KickStart Scholarship & developing relationships of trust with students with convictions transitioning to higher education. - Joe Keaney, Assistant Principal Officer, Community Projects Unit Irish Probation Service; Gerard Gallagher, Manager MAP Student Advisory Service & KickStart Scholarship recipient.
- Workshop 3: Evidence-Based Partnership and Collaboration - Exploring the implementation of the recommendations of the College Connect Community Needs Analyses and the IRC research findings - Deirdre FitzPatrick College Connect Project Manager.
