Isn't prison just a "school of criminology"?

I once arrested this burglar that was attempting to crack a safe inside a drugstore. he apparently made the wrong move and set off the store’s alarm system and was apprehended. in questioning the burglar, he stated “the only reason i got caught was that new safe in the drugstore. thats okay, someone in prison will tell me what i did wrong”. this brings me to my question: is prison a “school of criminology” for criminals? is what they learn from each other, in prison, really put to criminal use or was this person just blowing smoke my way?