Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
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
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
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
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
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
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
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