Inmates will learn appliance of science thanks to project

A groundbreaking programme led by researchers at St Andrews University to provide informal science learning to prisoners has received a cash boost.

Cell Block Science, spearheaded by the Biomedical Sciences Research Centre (BSRC) at St Andrews, has been awarded £150,000 from the Wellcome Trust.

The money will allow the team to deliver science activities in six prison learning centres throughout Scotland over the next two years.

The centre will have the support of four universities, Fife College, the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA), the Children’s University of Scotland and other nonacademic partners such as the Royal Zoological Society Scotland.

The expansion follows a successful pilot at Cornton Vale, Shotts and Low Moss, which gave 270 prisoners the opportunity to attend sessions including hands-on science projects and a family science fair as part of British Science Week.

Activities helped prisoners develop problem solving, independent learning and teamwork.

Dr Mhairi Stewart, head of public engagement with research at St Andrews, said: “Science and technology play such an important part in the modern world that improving scientific literacy among prisoners and their families will contribute to citizenship and empower individuals with the skills and confidence to make informed decisions on science in the news and science policy that might directly affect them.”

Cell Block Science has now been written into the annual learning plans for Scottish prisons.