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Miscellaneous See other Miscellaneous Articles Title: British authorities plan to release prisoners who study behind bars PressTV/// Prisoners who study hard whilst imprisoned could be eligible for early release under new plans by justice secretary, Michael Gove. In what is being described as the first major speech on prison policies, Gove suggests inmates who work towards gaining qualifications in prisons could be allowed to leave earlier than planned under the “earned release” scheme. Gove went on to say more can be done to motivate prisoners to learn and requested higher priority to be given to education in the prison system. The plans are expected to apply to 86,000 prisoners who are under automatic release once they reach the half way point of their fixed term sentences. Gove’s plans suggest the current automatic release is to be replaced by earned release, which encourages inmates to focus on studying and working in order to lessen their time. A previous ban on family, friends sending books to inmates lifted The scheme has been brewing among the Conservative government since 2008 however the requirement for 5,000 additional prison places to accommodate those who fail to respond to the incentive has halted the plan from flourishing. The current prison education which organised through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has been criticised by Ofsted which has described the standards as inadequate and in need of improvement. Nick Hardwick, the chief inspector of prisons said: “too many inmates spend their days lying on their bunks in squalid cells watching daytime television” and called for an end to idleness behind bars. Michael Gove, Justice Secretary Gove added: “In prisons there is a literally captive population whose inability to read properly or master basic mathematics makes them prime candidates for reoffending. Ensuring those offenders become literate and numerate makes them employable and thus contributors to society, not a problem for society.” “I am attracted to the idea of earned release for those offenders who make a commitment to serious educational activity, who show by their changed attitude that they wish to contribute to society and who work hard to acquire proper qualifications, which are externally validated and respected by employers. “I think more could be done to attach privileges in prison to attendance and achievement in education. But I believe the tools to drive that change need to be in the hands of governors.” ‘Earned release’ scheme is aimed to attract prisoners toward study A recent report from the Prisoner Learning Alliance identified the major problem with prison education is the concentration of provision on basic skills: It quoted one prisoner learner as saying: “It is all about level 1 and 2, no GCSEs or A-levels. This is good for short-term prisoners, but when you are in long-term prison doing life you complete them within a couple of years, then there is nothing left to do.” Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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