Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Accepted
Our Report makes it clear that education should be at the heart of the prison...
Recommendation
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 local university, a further education college, or other recognised quality educational providers. (Paragraph 125) 46 Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to climb the ladder of opportunity Route to employment
Government response summary AI-generated
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 vocational qualifications.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
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 another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education 13 to climb the ladder of opportunity Cross in Warrington, for example, has introduced new courses to meet changes in the labour market and offers a specialised level 3 rail track course, and HMP Leeds has a construction academy, supported by Kier and with training delivered by London-based charity Bounce Back. We are also committed to developing strong partnerships with universities. There are numerous examples of prisons forming strong partnerships with higher institutions. HMP Swaleside, for instance, has partnered with Goldsmiths, University of London to deliver a bespoke course with content drawn from Humanities, Creative Arts and Social Sciences disciplines, with 30–36 prisoners participating each year. The course aims to serve as a pre-university ‘foundation year,’ preparing individuals for undergraduate study.
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