Prisoners across the UK are set to receive significant support to improve their reading and writing skills through a new £1.8 million two-year pilot scheme. The initiative aims to transform literacy levels behind bars and reduce reoffending rates by helping inmates become job-ready upon release.
Fewer than half of adult male prisoners can read at an 11-year-old’s level, trapping many offenders in a cycle of crime and unemployment. To tackle this issue, the Shannon Trust and the National Literacy Trust have partnered to introduce new literacy programmes within prisons.
The Shannon Trust will recruit full-time staff to expand prisoner-to-prisoner reading support in nine prisons. Meanwhile, the National Literacy Trust will run monthly reading groups and creative writing sessions in six prisons. These sessions target prisoners with higher literacy skills to build confidence and encourage positive change.
Prisons and Probation Minister Damian Hinds emphasised the importance of literacy in reducing crime, stating, “Evidence shows that being able to read and write to a decent standard after prison can make all the difference between a positive, law-abiding life or a return to crime. From plotting a route to work or training, to paying the bills or shopping for food – these skills are crucial in keeping prisoners on the straight and narrow and the public safe.”
The Literacy Innovation Fund, which supports the government’s broader Prisons Strategy White Paper, covers 15 prisons. It will provide vital insights for developing a new Prisoner Education Service aimed at upskilling prisoners, improving literacy and numeracy, and enhancing job prospects.
Rebecca Perry, Head of Adult Literacy and Criminal Justice at the National Literacy Trust, said, “We believe reading and writing for enjoyment has the power to transform a person’s relationship with literacy. We’re thrilled the Literacy Innovation Fund will let us expand this vital work.”
Karen Ryan, Director of Prison Delivery at the Shannon Trust, added, “Learning to read transforms lives, strengthening family bonds, increasing chances of education and work, and ultimately reducing reoffending.”
This literacy boost coincides with the Prison Service’s recruitment of up to 100 full-time Heads of Education, Skills and Work to oversee learning programmes across prisons. These professionals will design curricula, ensure Ofsted standards are met, and collaborate with businesses to address skill gaps.
The government is supporting these efforts with £550 million over three years to help offenders overcome drug addiction, secure stable housing, and train for employment. The overall goal is to keep communities safer once prisoners are released.
Originally published by UKNIP.
