§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has obtained as to the proportion of the prison population who are deficient in(a) literacy and (b) numeracy; and if he will make a statement on the provision of education in prison with respect to these problems for (a) adults and (b) young offenders. [50112]
§ Ms QuinThe Prison Service derives its knowledge about literacy and numeracy rates from the results of the basic skills screening test which prisoners may be invited, but are not required, to take. These suggest that between 60 and 75 per cent. of prisoners have basic skills needs deficiencies: 60 per cent. of prisoners have poor literacy skills; and 75 per cent. of prisoners have poor numeracy skills.
Prison education focuses on the Prison Service Core Curriculum, which comprises basic educational skills (literacy and numeracy), life and social skills and information technology skills. All prisons and young offender institutions are required to offer this programme, 60W which has been designed to help prisoners find a job on release, resettle themselves into society and cope with life after prison without re-offending.
The Prisons Board has recently endorsed an education policy framework for prison education which is consistent with the Government's wider education priority of improving basic skills and improving the skills in the national labour force.