Coracle’s prison edtech platform delivers £35 million in financial benefits, or £16 for every £1 spent, new research finds

Coracle, which provides prisons with smart, safe devices, has the results of a new study which found its service has delivered £35 million worth of financial benefits to taxpayers.

In the study, which was conducted by crime and justice consultancy Crest Advisory, the service was found to reduce violence and support inmates to find work after release.

Prisoners engaged in study on their laptops were found to be less likely to experience issues such as violence, suicide and self-harm. The study found that the service reduces assaults by almost 2,000 incidents each year, including more than 200 serious assaults.

Coracle, which supports prisoners in 96 institutions with access to education through secure laptops, says its technology has helped more than 1,200 ex-prisoners into work within six months of release.

The study found that Coracle delivers value of £35,566,985 to UK taxpayers each year, rising to £40.3 million once wider societal benefits are taken into account. This means that for every £1 spent on the scheme, there is a benefit of £16. 

“We always believed we were making an impact but even I was astounded by the amount of value to taxpayers,” James Tweed, CEO of Coracle, comments.

“Violence in prisons can be appalling both for staff and prisoners. It also prevents anything meaningful or worthwhile taking place and is very expensive in terms of medical treatment and time off work. So the fact that we are doing something that reduces this particular issue is very welcome news.

“Investing in education is proven to be the best way to cut reoffending and we have never needed this more than we do now. I urge the government and politicians to read this report and act upon it.”

The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026

The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.

Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.

Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.

Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026 as part of an online showcase featuring expert commentary on emerging trends and standout innovation. All winners and finalists will also be featured in our first print magazine, to be distributed at BETT 2026.

To explore categories and submit your entry, visit the ETIH Innovation Awards hub.