Maghaberry Prison

Education

The education department provides prisoners with the opportunity to work for a range of courses from basic through to Open University level. A broad range of subjects are studied including mathematics, French, Spanish Irish, history, sociology, computer studies, art drama and sign language. A number of prisoners are currently enrolled with the Open University and these prisoners, together with others engaged in higher level courses, are allowed 3 days per week study time. An open learning facility has also been launched recently. Basic education is also provided to patients in the psychiatric unit. In total around 100 male prisoners are involved in the education programme at Maghaberry.

The education block is home for Maghaberry's Braille unit which employs up to 12 prisoners five days per week. Many organisations make use of the facility to transcribe books, examination papers, annual reports, legislation and music into Braille. Maghaberry is considered the leading facility in the British Isles and Europe for transcribing diagrams and 3-D models.