Access to Online Education for Indonesian Incarcerated Students

The covid-19 pandemic forced numerous educational institutions to deliver online learning to students. However, nonformal school at prison face a difficult choice as greater access to advanced technologies in prison is security breaches. The majority of incarcerated students in formal and nonformal school in the prison are cut off from the internet and the options for distance learning are limited. On the other hand, many volunteer teachers at prison schools are not allowed to teach by face-to-face methods during the pandemic. This study uncovered the possibility of nonformal school at Serang prison to offer online learning by collaborating with university. However, the online learning program and curriculum is modified to meet the current needs of students and condition. Therefore, the online education programs provide various materials of personal and social skills to the incarcerated students. These programs are important for mental and personal well-being of incarcerated students during ‘lockdown’ or limited access situation in prison. The accessibility to online learning education for incarcerated students in prison-based schools will transform the Indonesian corrections system in the future. For educational purpose, though, prisons that offer educational services such as Equivalency Programs, need to provide the IT facilities for the incarcerated students to access their education. By offering access to education, it will give young inmates the opportunity to build a better life after release.