Prisons | Academic Research | Exam Reader

Functional Skills Within Prisons

Introduction - Nearly 3 in 10 people assessed in prison in 2015-16 reported that they had a learning disability or difficulty (Skills Funding Agency, 2016). Four-fifths of prisoners with learning disabilities or difficulties report having problems reading prison information, they report difficulties with expressing themselves and understanding certain words (Talbot, 2008). 2% of the general population has a learning disability in comparison to 7% within the criminal justice system (NHS England, 2016). The overwhelming concept when reading such figures is the high proportion of prisoners who have not been formally diagnosed with a learning disability or difficulty, the figures are based on self-identification. Consequently, understanding the block such disabilities can create when wishing to access all the information you are to agree and adhere to during your prison sentence, requires positive and proven approaches to teaching and learning. Additionally, rehabilitation encourages the need for purposeful activities such as education, which have been proven to cut re-offending behaviours.

Fire. Health & Safety, Security Compliance needs in prison

I would like to thank the Head of Security and Intel at Prison D who helped compile this document, who gave advice and support as to the practice’s security departments adhere to within HMPPS.In 2017 I began studies within prisons regarding the introduction of assistive technology, ReaderPens and ExamReaders and their success within prison educational departments. From an initial meeting with the prison governor at Prison A, (then Prisons, B, C and D), to the delivery of pens to prisons and agreement to participate in a study by the education providers, each step of the way has been overseen by each prison’s security team and the National Research Committee (Ministry of Justice).

Interim Report – Prison Officer Study

Diversity, equality and inclusive learning are core values for today’s companies. The level of engagement in supporting such values will be dependent on the sector and ethos of each company. For Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), these core values enable a directed focus on promotion, supportive learning and career choices, and the emotional development and well-being of new and long-term serving prison officers. In my previous studies I worked with prisoners for whom core value identification included achieving a transferrable skill, to reduce reoffending. This study considered the other side of HMPP; prison officers. I was made aware management identified the importance of increasing job satisfaction, promotional aspirations and reducing staff turnover. Recently, there has been a recruitment drive from HMPPS to increase the number of prison offices in 2020/21.