Doing Things Differently
A new report from the National Skills Forum, Doing Things Differently: Step Changes in Skills and Inclusion, is calling for extra and improved education and training for offenders and ex-offenders, in order to give them a better chance of finding a good job on release and to help break the cycle of offending
With more than half (52%) of male offenders and 71% of female offenders holding no qualifications whatsoever, and 76% of offenders without a job to go to on release, it is clear that education and vocational training within prison should be made a key priority. The report’s findings show that we can no longer continue to release prisoners without adequate preparation for the world of work.
The report details the findings of a 6 month Inquiry, which involved a series of round table discussions and an open consultation with experts and key figures working in the field. At the core of the Inquiry is the principle that improving the skill levels of offenders could significantly increase their chances of finding a job, prevent re-offending, and ensure their successful integration back into their local community.
The Inquiry found that limited funds and a narrow range of education and training courses prevent many prisoners from achieving their full potential. What is needed are more, and a greater variety of, educational opportunities for prisoners, including vocational and professional qualifications from a wide range of different work sectors and across all levels. However, the report acknowledges that in the current financial environment, additional courses cannot be provided by the Government and the Ministry of Justice alone. Private businesses, mainstream colleges and charities will all have to play their role in expanding the range of courses prisoners are able to study, particularly through the development of long distance learning courses such as those currently provided by the Open University.
Another of the report’s key recommendations is that offenders on short term sentences, including those on remand or licence recall, should have more education and training opportunities made available to them, particularly advice on job applications and how to look for work on release. As these prisoners are soon to be released, they are the most likely to benefit from training. More controversially, the report also suggests that such courses be included as part of a prisoner’s sentence to ensure their brief prison stay is not a wasted opportunity. The report also urges the introduction of more incentives and support to encourage prisoners to undertake training such as additional wing privileges, peer mentoring by fellow offenders who have been successful in their study, and greater support from prison staff in raising prisoners’ aspirations.
The report also found that the constant movement of offenders between prisons, known as ‘churn factor’, is disruptive and can prevent up to a third of prisoners from completing their study. This is not only a waste of time and money, but can also discourage prisoners from continuing their education. The report sees potential in the new short courses and ‘bite sized’ modules currently being developed by the Ministry of Justice, and supports their expansion. In addition, the new Virtual Campus, an online learning tool, will enable prisoners to save their work in an ‘e-portfolio’ which can be accessed via any computer; again making it easier for prisoners to continue their study despite transfer between prisons. However, if there are only 5 computers in each prison then only a very small proportion of prisoners will be able to benefit, making this tool relatively ineffective unless there is a substantial increase in investment in ICT resources in prisons.
Greater use of release on temporary licence for work experience and work trials to boost ex-offenders employability is also recommended in the report. Allowing employers and businesses to get to know offenders will help to break down the stigma that is so regularly attached to people with a criminal record. This would also give offenders real work experience to add to their CV, as well as help to develop those other skills which cannot be taught in a classroom, such as leadership, communication and team working skills.
While the report highlights several specific ways to improve the provision of education in prisons, all the recommendations reflect a much broader need for a culture change in the management of offenders. Education and training should no longer be seen as merely something with which to occupy prisoners for a few hours, but should be at the very heart of a coherent and restorative justice system.
As Jacqui Henderson CBE, Director of Creative Leadership and Skills Strategies, and Co-Chair of the Inquiry said: ‘Too many offenders are still falling through the cracks and going back into prison because they don’t have the right skills and opportunities to make that leap into employment. It is not simply enough that we recognise these perennial problems; we must take the kind of bold policy steps recommended by this Inquiry to meet these people’s needs.’
* The National Skills Forum is a not-for-profit organisation working in partnership with the Associate Parliamentary Skills Group to raise the profile and status of skills in the UK. The Forum brings together Parliament, business and the skills sector to promote and develop effective skills policy as a central means of personal and economic development for the 21st Century. This report was sponsored by the TEC Trust Fund.
To download the report visit www.skillsandinclusion.org.uk
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