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Written question asked by Lord Willetts (Conservative) on Friday, 5 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 October 2007. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 October 2007 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Education: Prisons

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many prisoners in British prisons obtained (a) level 2 qualifications, (b) level 3 qualifications, (c) level 4 qualifications and (d) a university degree during their stay in prison in each year since 1997.
Answer

The information requested was not collected centrally.The introduction of the Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) from 31 July 2006, means that data on individual offender achievement will increasingly become available for adults, young offenders and juveniles in custody, in England. Data in the format requested will be available from spring 2008 for the academic year 2006/07. Separate arrangements are made for Welsh and Scottish establishments.Her Majesty's Prison Service annual reports record the following basic skills achievements at level 2:

Financial year Number
2001-02 16,133
2002-03 15,145
2003-04 13,338
2004-05 14,759
2005-06 12,381

Data from the Open University shows the following awards to serving prisoners:

Open University
Academic year Certificate awards Diploma awards Unclassified degree Honours degree Taught masters Total
2001/02 14 8 5 11 2 40
2002/03 23 16 5 6 1 51
2003/04 52 11 4 6 0 73
2004/05 90 9 9 7 1 116
2005/06 94 23 11 11 1 140

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
155666; 465 c430W
Session
2006-07
Subjects
Education Prisons
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk