- Colleges are calling for proper funding for prison education programmes to provide prisoners with the education and training needed to prepare them for successful reintegration into society and the world of work.
- There continues to be a disconnect between the wider skills agenda, driven by the Department for Education and Number 10 and the Ministry of Justice which has its own separate plans for prison education.
The current funding model for prison education is leading to a "race to the bottom" while prisoners are being taught in unfit, antiquated classrooms, educators have said.
The Association of Colleges has today published a new report The Vision for Prison Education - A provider perspective detailing the role the further education sector can play in reforming prison education for the 21st century.
This timely intervention follows the House of Commons Education Select Committee's recent report which urges the Government to take action to improve the current system, as part of its inquiry into prison education. Ministers are due to respond to the committee's findings in June.
