Strengthening Numeracy in European Prisons:
An Erasmus+ initiative for reintegration and employability
Strengthening Numeracy in Prisons is an Erasmus+ project focused on improving numeracy and mathematics skills among incarcerated adults across Europe. By addressing the high prevalence of low numeracy in prison populations, the project aims to enhance employability, support successful reintegration, and promote long‑term educational engagement within correctional settings.
Reducing the High Prevalence of Limited Numeracy Skills
The main objective of this project is to reduce the high prevalence of limited numeracy skills among incarcerated adults and enhance their employability and reintegration outcomes.
We achieve this by strengthening numeracy skills and fostering positive educational attitudes through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach.
Research shows that 30-50% of incarcerated adults have limited numeracy skills—significantly higher than the general population and even higher than those with limited literacy skills.
Identification & Motivation
To better identify and engage incarcerated individuals with low numeracy skills, we are developing and implementing an inclusive numeracy assessment toolkit for use in prisons across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Ireland.
Inclusive Assessment Toolkit
Designed to work across diverse educational backgrounds and learning needs
Early Identification
Enables early detection of numeracy challenges to provide timely support
Motivational Approach
Designed to engage learners and build confidence in their abilities
Cross-National Implementation
Validated and deployed across prison systems in three European countries
Teacher Capacity Building
To support educators, we will organize professional development sessions focused on addressing numeracy challenges and effectively using the toolkit and related educational resources. These sessions also aim to establish supportive networks among prison educators.
Professional Development Sessions
Structured training on numeracy challenges specific to prison education contexts
Toolkit Training
Hands-on guidance for effective implementation of the assessment toolkit
Educational Resources
Access to evidence-based teaching materials and strategies
Supportive Networks
Building communities of practice among educators across countries
Stakeholder Engagement
To raise awareness of the impact of numeracy skills on daily life, employment, and reintegration, we will disseminate resources and project findings to stakeholders.
Create Awareness
Highlighting the real-world impact of numeracy on employment and daily life
Resource Dissemination
Sharing tools, findings, and best practices with diverse audiences
Multi-Stakeholder Approach
Engaging educators, researchers, policymakers, and (post) incarcerated individuals
Our Long-Term Vision
Creating sustainable change that extends beyond the project timeline
Improve Numeracy Skills
Measurably enhance the numeracy abilities of incarcerated individuals, enabling better daily life management and employment prospects.
Sustained Use of Screening Protocols
Ensure prison systems continue to use our assessment toolkit long after the project concludes, making it a standard practice.
Collaborative Educator Community
Foster a lasting network of prison educators who share best practices, resources, and support across national boundaries.
Our Guiding Principles
Three interconnected strategies to strengthen numeracy education and support successful reintegration
Inclusivity
We develop accessible tools and resources that work for diverse learning needs and backgrounds.
Innovation
We create evidence-based assessment toolkits and professional development approaches.
Collaboration
We build supportive networks among educators, stakeholders, and policymakers across Europe.
International Partnership
Working together across three countries to create lasting change.
Meet the team!
the Netherlands
Belgium
