Pike, Anne. "Developing online communities to support distance learning in secure environments." (2009).

This paper discusses the learning process in secure environments using results from a qualitative study conducted at the UK Open University (OU), which has provided Higher Education (HE) through distance learning to students in prison. It emphasizes the identity-forming soft skills developed during self-directed distance learning and explores social elements supporting the learning process. Additionally, it addresses barriers to learning such as internet access and proposes two solutions being trialed to bridge the digital divide. The paper also introduces support networks and online learning communities emerging within and around secure environments.