This special issue of the Journal of Prison Education and Reentry highlights many of the successful outcomes that stem from prison-university partnerships while also presenting a significant insight into the challenging nature of this work. The
initiatives reflected on throughout the articles highlight how valuable this work is to learners, educators and
institutions in overcoming the long-standing barriers to higher education for people with convictions. Evidently, the collaborative nature of this work is central to possibilities of success. However, as highlighted in
this special issue, critical reflection lies at the heart of ensuring that the aims of the programmes can be realised
and sustained. Therefore, the issue presents a collection of articles that provide a ‘realistic celebration’ of the
projects being undertaken, whereby challenge and adversity reveal themselves to be just as empowering as the
rewards experienced
