HC Deb 01 March 1989 vol 148 cc194-5W
Mr. Ashdown

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provisions are made for prisoners wishing to continue their studies while in prison at all levels of education; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ian Stewart

[holding answer 28 February 1989]: There is an education service in every prison and young offenders' centre in Northern Ireland, and, except for those who are in custody for very short periods, all prisoners—including those on remand—are offered continuing education on a voluntary basis throughout the period of their imprisonment. This enables the majority of prisoners to continue with studies that may have been interrupted by their arrest and subsequent imprisonment. It also allows adult prisoners, not previously involved in any educational activities, a second chance to further their education. The service is orientated towards the needs of the individual and all programmes and courses reflect those needs.

The range of subjects taught runs from adult basic education through to Open university level and prisoners are prepared for the various public examinations—for example, GCSE; A-levels; Royal Society Arts; City and. Guilds of London Institute. Statistics available for the 1987–88 academic year show that about 47 per cent. of the. total prison population were involved in some form of education. Of this, 28 per cent. were enrolled in basic education, 55 per cent. were enrolled in examination classes and the remaining 17 per cent. were enrolled in social-leisure classes.

In addition, 86 were involved in Open University degree courses, five of whom completed their degrees in this academic year.

A comprehensive library service is available to all prisoners, with 35,000 books on loan from the various education and library boards. About 60 per cent. of the prison population use this facility.

Mr. Ashdown

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the ratio of teachers to prisoners in Northern Ireland over the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ian Stewart

[holding answer 28 February 1989]: A total of 12 full-time and approximately 70 part-time teachers are employed in providing the education service to prisoners. This number has remained fairly constant over the past five years and works out at a student-teacher ratio of between 1:5 and 1:6. Problems of security, control and layout of Northern Ireland prisons militate against a more economical ratio such as might be expected in mainstream education.

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