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Written question asked by Lady Hermon (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 28 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 December 2007. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Thursday, 13 December 2007 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Prisoners: Literacy

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the assessed level of numeracy and literacy rates were amongst prisoners in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.
Answer

The following tables provide a breakdown of the assessed levels of numeracy and literacy rates among prisoners in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. The figures are for each of the financial years listed and for the current year up to November 30. It is expected that literacy and numeracy assessments for the full year 2007-08 will reach approximately 1,400.

Numeracy
Total number of assessments Below entry level Entry Level 1 Entry Level 2 Entry Level 3 Level 1 + above
April 2003 to March 2004 1,403 85 130 317 509 362
April 2004 to March 2005 1,423 110 118 331 475 389
April 2005 to March 2006 1,486 112 131 352 513 378
April 2006 to March 2007 1,512 118 73 273 588 460
April 2007 to 20 November 2007 828 79 37 177 301 234
Literacy
Total number of assessments Below entry level Entry Level 1 Entry Level 2 Entry Level 3 Level 1 + above
April 2003 to March 2004 1,404 57 65 237 581 464
April 2003 to March 2004 1,421 76 97 236 523 489
April 2003 to March 2004 1,480 90 75 235 590 490
April 2006 to March 2007 1,508 116 49 202 621 520
April 2007 to 20 November 2007 833 77 29 115 329 283

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
469 c770W; 170464
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Northern Ireland Prisoners Literacy Basic skills
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk