Back prison educators, says UCU

Alan Whitaker, UCU vice-president, told the TUC Congress in Brighton that over two thirds of the prison population is illiterate and those who do not take part in education whilst incarcerated are three times more likely to be reconvicted. He warned that the constant change, lack of stability and firms' incompetence undermines prison educators and the whole process of rehabilitation.
 
Alan Whitaker said: 'Prison educators are the people who literally change people's lives. Former inmates who don't reoffend not only have their lives turned around, but often they are the best advocates of a life free from crime for others who may be heading down that route.
 
'Prison education has been the subject of tendering and contracting out since 1991. Private companies come into prisons describing themselves as specialist educational providers. But they are unaware that fees have to be paid for students sitting exams and they have no idea of the cost of things like books, paper and pens.
 
'Over two thirds of the prison population is illiterate and those who do not take part in education whilst incarcerated are three times more likely to be reconvicted. The constant change, lack of stability and firms' incompetence undermines prison educators and the whole process of rehabilitation.
 
'Prison educators do an incredible job trying to reach people that most of society has written off. They do this despite the best efforts of government and prison management, and despite ill-thought out policies and pure incompetence.'