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Written question asked by Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench) on Monday, 5 October 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 October 2020. It was answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Conservative) on Monday, 19 October 2020 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Prisons: Education

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) how many adults in prison have been actively engaged in self-study, and (2) how many adults in prison have completed accredited qualifications and assessments, in the last six months; and what plans they have to provide self-study education to adults in prison in the immediate future.

Answer

Following the introduction of restrictions suspending the delivery of all face-to-face education in prisons due to Covid-19, we have worked with all Prison Education Framework (PEF) and Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) providers to support prisons via the remote production of various materials to provide in cell activity, distraction material and learning packs for as many prisoners as possible.

We have provisional data from the beginning of April 2020 which shows that the education providers have worked with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to distribute approximately 871,000 learning packs. Of these, 361,000 were course specific packs and 510,000 were generic learning packs.

During the time that restrictions have applied we have had to adapt existing recording procedures for education delivery to meet these new restrictions and we need to carry out further work with providers to assess levels of engagement and achievement.

HMPPS managers continue to maintain routine dialogue with PEF provider staff locally around the development and delivery of additional support materials to meet new and emerging needs during these restrictions.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL8762
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Education Prisoners Prisons
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk