§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many of Her Majesty's prisons reduced the number of hours of education in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998; and what proportion of the total number of prisons this represents for each of those years. [HL3062]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe information requested is given in the tables. The figures for reduction in education hours are based on the 121 prisons for which data are available for the whole period. The reduction in hours is, in part, a reflection of increased efficiency in education provision. More education is delivered as time-limited courses to address specific needs, or is part-time rather than full-time.
Prison Service: Reduction in Education Hours Number of prisons reducing the number hours of education Proportion of prisons of the total number that this represents 1996–97 on 1995–96 102 84% 1997–98 on 1996–97 68 56% 1998–99 on 1997–98 186 171% 1 Data for the first quarter of 1998–99 has been annualised and remains provisional.
Prison Service: Average education output Education Hours Per Prisoner Per Week 1995–96 4.9 1996–97 4.3 1997–98 4.1 1998–99 First Quarter 13.8 1 Data for the first quarter of 1998–99 has been annualised and remains provisional.