Recommendations & Conclusions
38 items
1
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
The purpose of education and training in prisons should be to get prisoners onto the ladder of opportunity. It must play a key role in improving the employability of prisoners and therefore in reducing reoffending. However, prison education must be understood in broader terms than just improving the employability of …
Government response. and Probation Service) We accept this recommendation and are already strengthening the performance measures for governors as set out in the Prisons Strategy White Paper. New Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for education have been agreed, including progress in English and …
Department for Education
2
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
The Coates Review highlighted the need for prison education to be at the heart of the prison system. Six years later, this aspiration has still not been realised. It is imperative that there is a renewed focus on embedding a culture of education into prison establishments. This will not happen …
Government response. We accept this recommendation. As committed in the Prisons Strategy White Paper, we will comprehensively enhance the professional skills offered to our staff. As part of this, together with our education reform programme, we plan to introduce a range of …
Department for Education
3
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Accepted
The job description and key performance measures used when assessing Governors must be amended to require Governors to ensure that providing adequate prison education and a culture of learning is part of their core responsibilities, and something on which they must be held to account for as part of their …
Government response. The government accepts this recommendation and is in the process of recruiting for the new senior role of Head of Education, Skills and Work who will have responsibility for overseeing prison and provider delivery of education, skills, and work.
Department for Education
4
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
There must also be a clear signal in each prison that education is an operational priority. We recommend that each prison has a Deputy Governor of Learning who is part of the Senior Management team, who is directly responsible for education audits and the educational outcomes of prisoners. The job …
Government response. We reject this recommendation. We accept the principle that governors should set pay rates that encourage engagement with education and expect that new KPIs for prison education will encourage governors to review pay rates. However, as set out in Prison …
Department for Education
5
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Many prisoners have a negative view of education. Incentives therefore have a part to play in encouraging prisoners to engage, or re-engage, with education. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice ensures that pay for education is equal to the pay for prison work, to ensure that prisoners do not …
Government response. We accept this recommendation in principle and intend to consult practitioners on the implications of any change to the current approach. Government Response: Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education 3 to climb the ladder …
Department for Education
6
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
A high proportion of prisoners have learning needs. It is concerning that prisons have only had to screen for additional learning needs since 2019. This means that the majority of the prison population may never have gone through a screening process. It is clear that there is a lack of …
Government response. We accept this recommendation. We are expanding the use of CURIOUS and developing our approach to capturing data around a full range of learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD) and additional learning needs across the prison estate, including in private prisons. …
Department for Education
7
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
The current screening process is not adequate to identify prisoners with additional learning needs. The Ministry of Justice must introduce a consistent assessment process for every prisoner when they enter the prison system. We believe there is a strong case for every prisoner to receive an assessment for learning needs …
Government response. Responsible organisations MoJ/HMPPS We accept this recommendation. Systems to screen for learning needs are in place, but we are reviewing and exploring improvements. A review of LDD assessment and screening 4 Government Response: Not just another brick in the wall: …
Department for Education
8
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Accepted
There needs to be a whole prison approach to prisoners with learning difficulties. This is currently hampered by the lack of information sharing between the community and the prison estate regarding prisoners’ educational attainment in the community, and any learning difficulties that were identified. This also continues during the prison …
Government response. The government states that new or amended legislation is not necessary and that data sharing is already permitted; they will invest in the digital and data platform needed to develop personal learning plans and existing data sharing powers are available.
Department for Education
9
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Support for prisoners with learning difficulties is long over-due. We welcome the Government’s recent commitment in its Prisons Strategy White Paper to provide dedicated specialist support staff, but the Government must ensure that there is adequate resourcing for this. The Government must, in its response to this Report, provide greater …
Government response. We accept this recommendation in principle. We are currently recruiting new support managers for prisoners with additional learning needs such as learning disabilities and conditions such as autism, acquired brain injury or ADHD funded from the £550m allocated for reducing …
Department for Education
10
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
Developing individual learning plans with prisoners helps to secure their commitment to, and ownership of, their own education, and provides a focus on individual learning. It helps to make prisoners aware of the options available to them in terms of learning opportunities, and can be used to measure their attainment …
Government response. We accept this recommendation in principle. We recognise the importance of good careers advice working to consistent national expectations in preparing prisoners for sustainable employment on release. Careers advice is currently commissioned through the Prison Education Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), …
Department for Education
11
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
We recommend that all prisoners have a personalised Individual Learning Plan linked to their sentence plan, created at the start of their time in prison. This should include the SEND assessment undertaken at their entry into the prison system. The Individual Learning Plan should be updated with their progression and …
Government response. We accept both recommendations. We are developing Personal Learning Plans in line with these recommendations. The new digital system we are designing will record initial assessments and record a learning plan to be followed throughout the sentence. This will also …
Department for Education
12
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
Prisoners are often transferred with short notice across the prison estate. The loss or delay in the transfer of their educational records can have serious repercussions on their ability to continue their studies, and can in some cases cause prisoners to become disheartened and to give up on their learning. …
Government response. We accept both recommendations. We are developing Personal Learning Plans in line with these recommendations. The new digital system we are designing will record initial assessments and record a learning plan to be followed throughout the sentence. This will also …
Department for Education
13
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
The Ministry of Justice must introduce a digital education passport, which contains a record of a prisoner’s learning, and any identified educational needs, that follows prisoners through their sentence and across the prison estate, and which can be shown to potential employers. (Paragraph 59) Education delivery
Government response. We accept this recommendation. The government has taken significant steps in giving governors autonomy in this and other areas: since the budget for prison education was moved to MoJ from DfE, governors are now responsible for setting the curriculum, and, …
Department for Education
14
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
The quality of prison education is of huge concern and has been deemed “inadequate”. The vision of Governor autonomy, as set out by the Coates Review, has not been realised by the new contracts and we are disappointed that the new contractual arrangements resulted in the same four educational providers …
Government response. We accept this recommendation in principle. We accept the need for a review of the prison education framework, but it would not be feasible to complete this within the timescales provided. We are reviewing the contract management system and structure …
Department for Education
15
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
We have concerns about whether the Prison Education Framework contracts are able to deliver the improvement in prison education that is desperately needed. The Government must carry out a wholesale review of the current prison education framework by the end of 2022, with a view to improving the current contract …
Government response. We accept this recommendation in principle. We want governors to be more involved in performance discussions with education providers and our current approach is to ensure they have the support of specialist trained and accredited staff to manage the prison …
Department for Education
16
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Rejected
We also recommend that all prison Governors are given the appropriate training by the Ministry of Justice to acquire the skills to manage the contracts with their education providers more effectively. (Paragraph 72) 44 Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to climb the ladder …
Government response. The government rejects the recommendation, stating that extending DPS contracts beyond two years would limit Governor flexibility and undermine the aim of widening education provision.
Department for Education
17
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
The Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) was meant to allow Governors to contract bespoke training, including with voluntary organisations, for their prisons. However, the current length of contracts is making it difficult for smaller organisations to bid. The length of DPS contracts should be extended beyond the current two years.
Government response. We reject this recommendation. We agree with the principle that Ofsted should make a specific comment about the education provider in inspection reports. However, the overall responsibility for the quality and effectiveness of education, skills and work activity sits Government …
Department for Education
18
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
It is key that civil society is allowed to engage with prisons. To ensure that prisons fulfil this aim, a criteria must be added to the evaluation framework of Ofsted inspections to ensure that they examine how prisons engage with civil society.
Government response. We accept this recommendation in principle. We accept the need for meaningful KPIs to be in place to measure education and training and HMPPS have recently introduced new KPIs for prison education provision including for progress in English and maths, …
Department for Education
19
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
The current prison inspection regime does not give enough weight to the quality of education. The award of a single grade to the establishment makes it difficult to see the origin of the failure, therefore making it difficult to act to improve the situation.
Government response. We reject this recommendation. We agree that education provision and education inspection findings should be taken seriously and have an increased focus within the prison regime. We fully agree that Ofsted inspections should have impact and that prisons should demonstrate …
Department for Education
20
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
We recommend that prisons have clear and meaningful KPIs related to education, training and employment which are monitored by Ofsted. The Ministry of Justice must also reform the inspection regime so that Ofsted is able to give a grade for the education provider within the prison. We recommend that Ofsted …
Government response. We accept this recommendation. To ensure we have a system in place that allows for flexible and portable learning, a prisoner’s education journey is already taken into account when considering potential transfers. Of course, where public protection or safety issues …
Department for Education
21
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
When considering moving prisoners, the position of where they are in a course or qualification should be considered. The ability of whether they would be able to continue their qualification where they are moved to, should also be a factor.
Government response. We reject this recommendation. In the Prisons Strategy White Paper, we set out the ambition for the next decade and beyond to meet our aims on skills and employment by making the estate digitally enabled for prisoners. We are working …
Department for Education
22
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
The lack of controlled and secure access to proper online education is a significant barrier to learning. It is stifling opportunity for improvement through education and leaving prisoners unprepared for the real world, lacking the digital skills they need for employment and life skills, and reducing their likelihood of reoffending. …
Government response. We accept this recommendation. We teach basic digital skills in all prisons, and 60 laptops have been introduced in accelerator prisons for accessing digital content in-cell. An additional million-pound investment has been made towards introducing laptops across the prison estate. …
Department for Education
23
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Accepted in Part
We have serious concerns around allowing prisoners free and un-fettered access to the internet. However, we have been assured that security concerns can be overcome as technology exists which allows access to be restricted to approved content which can be monitored. A change in attitude to technology in prisons is …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation in principle and will assess the condition of prison buildings, including education and workshop facilities, over the next 12-18 months.
Department for Education
24
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
Prison Education is in a perilous state due to a continual decline in funding. The Government has not increased funding for prison education for the last five years. The current prison regime contains many barriers to the successful delivery of prison education. Without significant investment in the prison estate, in …
Government response. We reject this recommendation. The Prisons Strategy White Paper sets out our 10-year vision to deliver a transformed Prisoner Education Service with a focus on giving prisoners the skills and opportunities to secure a job on release. With the investment …
Department for Education
25
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
The Ministry of Justice must, by the end of this year, set out a clear budget for prisons for the next 10 years, which sets out a long-term strategy for prison education, and a minimum expected spend on prison education. (Paragraph 108) Academic study
Government response. We accept this recommendation. We are developing annual curriculum guidance to support governors in identifying the best curriculum for their prison population. The next iteration of the curriculum guidance, due to be published in Autumn, will focus on guiding prison …
Department for Education
26
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
The current provision of prison education is too narrow, and is not allowing prisoners to achieve their full potential. Prisoners must be able to access a varied and diverse curriculum. Whilst aiming to meet the basic needs of prisoners with numeracy, literacy and IT, the Ministry of Justice must introduce …
Government response. We accept this recommendation. Most courses on offer are already unit or module-based to allow ease of transfer.
Department for Education
27
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
We recognise the reality of prison life and that prisoners may be transferred, often at short notice. The Ministry of Justice must look at the ways that this can cause as little harm to their education as possible. We have already recommended that digital passports are introduced. We also recommend …
Government response. We reject this recommendation. Loan support is available only for prisoners who are within six years of their release date, in order to strike a balance between supporting prisoners reasonably close to their release date and ensuring that the taxpayer …
Department for Education
28
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Reoffending is lower in prisoners who participate in higher education. The Government must remove the “six-year rule” so that prisoners on long sentences can apply for higher education courses earlier in their sentence. This would give them motivation during their sentence and keep them focused on their potential employment opportunities …
Government response. We accept this recommendation. There are already good examples of best practice in partnerships between education and training providers and prisons and we will continue to build further relationships through our Employability Innovation Fund. HMP Thorn Government Response: Not just …
Department for Education
29
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Accepted
Our Report makes it clear that education should be at the heart of the prison regime. The Government must look at innovative ways to make this a reality. We recommend that the Government establish a pilot scheme establishing specialised prisons with a focus on education, run in partnership with a …
Government response. The government accepts this recommendation. They are changing the legislation to enable apprenticeships for prisoners and will establish an Employability Innovation Fund for sector-specific skills training and work experience. They are also engaging with providers to broaden the curriculum and …
Department for Education
30
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
Employment has been shown to reduce reoffending. Getting prisoners into employment therefore makes economic sense for society, easing the current burden on prisons, and allowing former prisoners to re-enter society. The low number of prisoners finding long-term employment following their release from prison is stark. The Ministry of Justice must …
Government response. We accept this recommendation. By April 2023, all resettlement prisons will have an employment hub in place—the equivalent of a ‘job centre in a prison’—where prisoners can find out about job opportunities, as well as access support with applications.
Department for Education
31
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
The prison estate has a role in supporting prisoners in finding employment. We welcome the employment hubs that are currently operational, such as that in HMP Thorn Cross, but believe that the scheme must be extended. The Government must, by the end of the year, set out a clear timetable …
Government response. 14 Government Response: Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to climb the ladder of opportunity We accept this recommendation. By April 2023, all resettlement prisons will have a Prison Employment Lead and Employment Advisory …
Department for Education
32
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Accepted in Part
No-one understands the skills market better than employers. Local partnership with employers is key to identifying and providing the necessary skills for the job market. During our inquiry, we heard of some fantastic partnerships between prisons and businesses. However, these examples are too few. The Ministry of Justice must build …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation in principle but states that auditing the size of individual employers would be administratively challenging and that NFN is only one source of employment, but will explore ways to better demonstrate the work and impact …
Department for Education
33
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Accepted
The New Futures Network was established by the Ministry of Justice to build partnerships with employers and prisons. However, there is no published data as to what success it is having. The Ministry of Justice must publish annual data showing the number of employment opportunities it has found for former …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation and will work to maximise workplace ROTL in the open and female estate, requiring development of a strategy for reshaping the regime, primarily in open prisons.
Department for Education
34
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Accepted
Release on Temporary Licence allows relationships to develop between prisoners and employers and allows prisoners to require vital employment skills. The Government must ensure that greater use is made of Release on Temporary Licence for work placements, thus enabling prisoners to receive employment experience towards the end of their sentence.
Government response. The government accepts this recommendation. They will change the legislation to enable apprenticeships for prisoners to start in the autumn.
Department for Education
35
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
Our inquiry has shone a light on the benefits of prisoners being able to take apprenticeships. We are pleased that the Government has listened to the weight of evidence submitted to us on this issue, and will amend current Government policy. It is imperative that there is no delay in …
Government response. We reject this recommendation. The apprenticeships levy was created to support the uptake and delivery of high-quality apprenticeships including allowing levy-paying employers to use their funds to support apprenticeships for those in custody. Levy payers can already employ prisoners as …
Department for Education
36
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
In any future review of the Apprenticeship Levy, the Government must change the rules to allow businesses to direct it towards prisoner rehabilitation schemes. (Paragraph 151) Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to climb the ladder of opportunity 47
Government response. We accept this recommendation. MoJ is setting up Employment Boards and an Employability Innovation Fund that will explore the sorts of incentives we can provide business to recruit prisoners. This might include tailoring training to meet their needs or providing …
Department for Education
37
Recommendation
First report - Not just another brick …
Businesses may have some reservations about employing former prisoners, which the Government must work to overcome. The Government must introduce incentives to encourage businesses to employ former prisoners, such as national insurance holidays for the first year of employing former prisoners.
Government response. We accept this recommendation in principle. We are currently developing personal learning plans for prisoners and developing measures of progress. We are very keen to capture outcome data and use this to inform curriculum choices to make sure we are …
Department for Education
38
Conclusion
First report - Not just another brick …
There is a lack of data about the impact of education and training in prisons. It is important that there is in-depth analysis on what kind of programmes are most effective, and on longer-term outcomes. The Ministry of Justice must carry out a longitudinal study of prisoner destination data, comparing …
Government response. We accept this recommendation in principle. We are currently developing personal learning plans for prisoners and developing measures of progress. We are very keen to capture outcome data and use this to inform curriculum choices to make sure we are …
Department for Education