§ Mr. MYERSasked the Home Secretary how many of the officers responsible for the elementary education of prisoners were certified teachers or held any educational qualification that would be recognised in a public elementary school; and what sums of money were allotted to the education of prisoners during the years 1913–14, 1919–20, and 1920–21, respectively?
§ Mr. SHORTTEducation in prisons is carried out generally by officers selected, after examination, for this purpose. These officers, known as school-masters, clerks and schoolmasters, and schoolmistresses, do not, as a rule, possess the qualification of certified teachers, but their ability to teach is tested by the chaplain at the prison, and afterwards confirmed by the Chaplain-Inspector. A separate account is not kept of expenditure on the education of prisoners, although some items are detailed in the Estimates (Class III, 8). The actual sums are distributed among a number of subheads,e.g., salaries and furniture. The books, stationery, etc., are supplied by the Stationery Office.
§ Mr. MYERSasked the Home Secretary the number of prisoners in local and in convict prisons who were eligible for instruction during the year ended 31st March last, and their classification on reception; and on what grounds no elementary instruction is now offered to prisoners between the ages of 25 and 40, whereas before 1914 a considerable number of prisoners between these ages 56W were enabled to advance through one or more standards during their imprisonment?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe returns for the year ended 31st March last are not yet complete, and the number of prisoners eligible for instruction during the year cannot yet be given. Owing to the improved system of national education prisoners over 25 are not generally in need of elementary education, but the prison authorities have power to extend the educational facilities which the prison system provides to any prisoners over 25 who are likely to profit by it.