According to a Guardian article, education inside prison is facing a 50% cut. At Working Chance, we are deeply concerned and disappointed by these plans which go against the Prime Minister’s manifesto promise to improve “access to learning”.
Education in prison is not a luxury or just a way to pass the time – it is a necessary tool to rebuild lives and prepare for employment post-release. These cuts risk increasing the likelihood of reoffending and creating more barriers for people who simply want to create better futures for themselves and their families.
Here is what our Education and Training Lead, Katherine, has to say:
“The plans to cut spending on prison education are disappointing beyond belief. Good education in prisons has the power to be transformative; people in prison can use education to elevate their circumstances and build a positive and constructive future. Without this investment, we are reducing opportunities for individuals to rehabilitate - a key feature of the prison model.”
Cutting the spending of education courses in prison would undermine the many benefits it brings:
1. Education reduces reoffending
Evidence clearly demonstrates how prison education reduces the risk of reoffending. According to the MoJ, people who had participated in prison education courses were 7.5% less likely to reoffend within 12 months compared to those who had not. (1) This is even starker with higher education, where participation is estimated to cut reoffending by between 20-40%. (2)
2. Education improves employment outcomes
It's estimated that 47% of people enter prison with no qualifications, so prison education is essential for preparing people for employment post-release. Most employers expect people to have GCSEs in English and maths at the very least, so people without these basic qualifications are at a disadvantage when trying to find stable, well-paid work.
Others unfortunately cannot return to the profession they left due to their conviction. Education courses in prison can help give people the chance to retrain, refresh qualifications, or upskill so they can start new careers.
3. Education builds hope for the future
Education is more than qualifications. It builds self-confidence and self-esteem, provides a sense of accomplishment, and gives people hope that they can rebuild their lives. These education courses in prison also gives people structure and purpose which improves wellbeing.
4. Education is cost-effective
In 2018, HMPPS estimated that providing prison education cost around £1200-1300 per student. They found that the economic benefits associated with the reduced likelihood to reoffend, and the better employment outcomes stood at approximately £6700-6800 – resulting in a net benefit of over £5400 per person.(3)
We urge the government to reconsider these proposed cuts. Removing or reducing education opportunities in prison will be devastating.
Time and again we see how education opens doors for people who once felt hopeless about the future. If these cuts go ahead, we risk pushing people back into the revolving door of the criminal justice system simply by a lack of opportunity.
Alex Clarke
Policy Officer
1) https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/22218/documents/164715/default/
2) https://prisonreformtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Winter-2022-Factfile.pdf
3) https://www.ntu.ac.uk/media/documents/nce/Policy-Briefing-HE-in-prisons-301122-FINAL.Updated.pdf
