David Gauke to boost teaching powers for prison bosses in bid to get ex-cons back to work
2 min read
David Gauke will offer greater autonomy to prisons over what skills they teach in an effort to get more former inmates back into work upon release.
The Justice Secretary is set to allow governors the right to tailor the subjects on offer to the needs of local employers as part of a drive to cut reoffending, according to the Daily Telegraph.
He will say that from next April they will have “full control” over educational provision in their institutions, which will come with greater scrutiny of classes being offered to inmates.
The plans will see the introduction of “personal learning plans” that will follow a convict’s education, training and work experience.
Prisons failing to meet the standards set could face “interventions”, with temporary teaching staff drafted in.
The Telegraph reports that just over half of those serving time (53%) have any qualifications at all, which alongside holding a criminal record makes it difficult for them to find work.
Ministry of Justice figures say prisoners who take part in education programmes in prison are 7.5% less likely to reoffend within a year.
Mr Gauke will say in a speech later today: “It is critical for society that we get reoffending down and getting prisoners into education, helping develop skills and find work is among the best ways we can do that.
"Education provision has been patchy across the estate so we will apply minimum standards for consistency and performance...
“Education in prisons needs to be much more closely tailored to the skills that employers in the local area need and Governors are best placed to decide on the programmes to bring to their prisons."
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