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Reductions to educational programs within prisons are disrupting prisoners' employment and training opportunities, in the long run posing a risk to public safety, according to a latest report from a correctional watchdog organization.

Pattern of Reoffending Connected to Lack of Education

Habitual criminals often create chaos in their neighborhoods due to the failure of prisons to supply sufficient training and employment opportunities that could help disrupt the cycle of reoffending, the report stated.

“I have significant concerns about the impact of real-terms learning budget cuts on currently inadequate services and about the absence of real appetite and ambition for progress that this represents.”

Funding Cuts Threaten Rehabilitation Initiatives

Despite commitments to improve availability to education, funding on direct learning services in correctional institutions is being cut by as much as 50%, per latest reports.

While the overall training budget has stayed unchanged, the cost of course contracts has increased significantly, according to prison governors.

• Just 31% of former prisoners are working half a year after release
• Ninety-four of 104 inspected facilities were rated “poor” or “below standard” for purposeful activity
• Typical participation in educational activities was just 67% in reviewed institutions

Inadequate Situations Impede Reform

Crowded conditions, a lack of training space, equipment breakdowns, and ageing infrastructure have compounded the situation, per the report.

Many inmates wait for extended periods to be assigned an activity space and are often given any is available, rather than instruction relevant to their career opportunities upon release.

Although activities went ahead, full-time positions generally occupied prisoners for just a limited time per day, with many positions divided into partial slots to stretch limited resources further.

Government Position and Future Initiatives

Correctional system has a duty to protect the community by making prisoners less inclined to reoffend when they are freed, but frequently it is failing to fulfill this responsibility.

The best governors understand that prisons, and ultimately our society, are more secure if prisoners are meaningfully engaged, and that education, skill development and work play a vital role in motivating prisoners to reform.

“We know that meaningful engagement can help to facilitate secure and decent prisons and have a positive effect on recidivism rates.”

Until leaders in the correctional service take the delivery of effective education and skill development more seriously, it is difficult to see how appallingly high reoffending rates can be lowered.

Funding cuts are also expected to hinder initiatives to introduce a new reward-driven prison regime that would enable inmates to earn reductions their incarceration by completing employment, skill development and education programs.