Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 February 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 March 1998. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 March 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of adult prisoners who are functionally illiterate. - Inc figure.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of adult prisoners who are functionally illiterate; and if he will make a statement. [32100] Ms Quin: Knowledge about literacy rates among prisoners is derived from the results of the basic skills screening test for numeracy and literacy which prisoners are invited, but not required, to take. These suggest that while very few prisoners are actually illiterate, 60 per cent. of the prison population need help to improve their communication skills. The Prison Service strives to improve levels of literacy among prisoners by focusing its education provision on the core curriculum of key basic education skills (reading, writing and numbers) life and social skills and information technology skills.

Secondary information