The opportunity of gaining an education or professional training for adults in prison is highly recommended, but is not mandatory. There should be the opportunity for gaining at least a primary education for school-aged persons, or those a little older, serving a prison sentence.
The objective of providing an opportunity to prisoners to acquire education is to ensure that prisoners have adequate knowledge, skills and ethical principles which would allow the prisoners to continue their education and work after release. The prison service shall ensure that general premises, classrooms and workshops necessary for the acquisition of general education, vocational education and in-service training for the purpose of professional development exist, as well as the possibility to receive practical training in the areas of specialisation taught in the prison.
Prisoners who are not proficient in Estonian shall, at their request, be provided with an opportunity to study Estonian. Remuneration for studies may be paid to adult prisoners.
Read more about the type of education you are interested in:
Prisoners who have not acquired basic education shall be provided with the opportunity to acquire basic education on the basis of a corresponding national curriculum in the case when is prescribed in the individual treatment plan. Prisoners who have acquired basic education shall be provided with the opportunity to acquire general secondary education on the basis of the national curriculum in the case this is prescribed in the individual treatment plan.
Prisoners may, at their request, be permitted to study at educational institutions located outside prisons. The minister responsible for the area shall establish the procedure for the application for permission and the grant thereof.
Prisoners shall be provided with the opportunity to acquire vocational education and participate in in-service training for the purpose of professional development in the case this is prescribed in the individual treatment plan. Areas of specialisation which are in higher demand in society shall be preferred upon providing vocational education to prisoners.
Right to education
If you are not given the chance to complete elementary education which is compulsory in Estonia, as a minor or youth, it may lead to a violation against the right to education.
How to complain
If you believe that you have been unlawfully barred from gaining an education in prison, you should complain to the prison administration. Read more about how to complain.