Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to improve reading and writing skills of those in prison. [48912]
§ Beverley HughesOne of the immediate objectives of the Prisoners' Learning and Skills Unit is to increase the proportion of prisoners leaving custody with acceptable literacy and numeracy skills to help them resettle into the community and gain employment on release. The most recent basic skills Level 2 data shows that the Prison Service has achieved 14,400 qualifications in 2001–02, which is 80 per cent. of the final target. We are taking action to improve reading and writing by running basic skills pathfinder projects in seven prisons as part of a wider national project to pilot new national tests and standards, and we are developing innovative approaches to the delivery of basic skills which include using popular subjects, such as drama, art and physical education.