Investigating Lasting Change in Prison Rehabilitation

Prison rehabilitation can have a life-changing impact on offenders when delivered effectively and supported by the right systems.

Programmes that prioritise prison education, skills training, mental health support, and preparation for reintegration into society are shown to significantly improve outcomes and reduce reoffending.

Recent government reports continue to confirm the positive role of education and purposeful activity in rehabilitation, even as systemic challenges remain.

By confronting the underlying causes of criminal or antisocial behaviour and helping learners develop the skills and tools needed for lasting change, rehabilitation gives people the opportunity to contribute positively to their communities after release.

What is prison rehabilitation?

Prison rehabilitation includes services and interventions designed to help prisoners reintegrate into society successfully. This includes education, vocational training, employment support, behavioural programs, wellbeing support, and preparation for life outside prison.

At Novus, we aim to reduce reoffending through in-prison education and tailored learning. Effective rehabilitation requires learners to engage in structured programs during custody and receive ongoing support and pathways after release.

The role of prison education in rehabilitation

Education is central to rehabilitation. Structured learning helps prisoners build skills that improve employment prospects, increase confidence, and reduce the likelihood of returning to crime.

Research conducted by the Ministry of Justice found that learners who had engaged in education whilst in prison were significantly less likely to reoffend within 12 months of release.

Prison education plays an integral role in reducing reoffending and helping learners find employment upon release, which is why we try to engage as many learners as possible in our education offer.

Participation figures also show a steady number of learners taking part in functional and accredited courses. While participation and completion of education programmes continue, challenges such as staff shortages and capacity limitations affect how fully the potential of education is realised in practice.

Novus educational offer

At Novus, we provide a wide ranging curriculum that includes:

• English, maths and digital skills
• Vocational and technical training
• Creative enrichment activities
• Higher level and distance learning options

These opportunities help learners address educational gaps, achieve recognised qualifications, and build transferable skills that improve their chances of finding employment and thriving after release.

Beyond qualifications, education fosters self-esteem, resilience, and personal growth, giving learners a sense of purpose and the ability to reshape their lives.

Many learners who previously faced barriers to education find renewed confidence and purpose through structured learning.

Challenges in prison rehabilitation

Despite strong evidence supporting rehabilitation, several obstacles can limit its impact. At Novus, we focus on addressing these challenges to prepare learners for success after release.

Lack of a Supportive Environment

Individuals without strong relationships or stable social networks often struggle to reintegrate after release. Positive ties with family and supportive networks are linked to lower reoffending. Strong, healthy relationships can act as a protective factor during the transition back into the community.

Strengthening family ties through prison education

To support rehabilitation, learners need a robust support system in place before they leave custody. Research suggests that strong family connections can reduce reoffending risk and improve reintegration outcomes.

At Novus, we encourage learners to engage in projects and activities that support family involvement, helping them rebuild relationships that can sustain them after release.

Maintaining family ties through the We Roar Tour

One example is the We Roar project, an arts initiative developed by Faye Claridge in partnership with Novus and the Prison Creative Arts Project at the University of Michigan. The programme supported 20 learners across prisons in England and the United States to create artwork and poetry inspired by curated prompts.

Work produced by participants was compiled into an exhibition that toured UK prisons where Novus operates. Some sites hosted family days during the tour, providing learners the opportunity to share their creations with loved ones. These events help strengthen connections, show families the progress learners have made, and reinforce learners’ sense of purpose and contribution.

Such initiatives illustrate how creative engagement, educational support and family involvement can work together to support rehabilitation journeys.

Employment challenges

Securing employment after release is a critical component of rehabilitation, yet many ex offenders face substantial barriers, including:

• Stigma related to criminal records
• Lack of formal qualifications or work experience
• Limited employment support and mentorship

Stable employment is a strong predictor of reduced reoffending, underscoring the importance of preparing learners for jobs and career pathways while in prison.

Employment support at Novus

As well as our education provision, we also offer employment support for learners either through our Novus Works Team, Partner Employers or by working with the Prison Employment Leads. Our experienced team provide an extensive range of support to help learners develop the skills needed to find, apply and secure a job.

Novus Works

Our Novus Works team supports learners into employment by bridging the gap between education and employers. They provide:

• CV development and interview skills coaching
• Assistance with job applications
• Connections with regional and national employers

By helping learners build confidence and practical job search skills, Novus Works increases the likelihood of meaningful employment upon release.

Partner employers

We collaborate with a wide range of employer partners who offer job opportunities, apprenticeships and industry relevant training. Employers help shape our curriculum by advising on up to date workplace expectations and skills needs.

Bringing employers into prison settings through workplace visits and engagement events allows learners to build professional relationships and understand real world recruitment processes before release.

Qualifications and skills development through education

Many learners enter prison lacking essential qualifications. Structured learning, from literacy and numeracy to vocational training, provides the credentials and confidence needed for post-release life. This focus on qualifications is crucial for accessing employment, apprenticeships, and sustainable futures.

No rehabilitation strategy is complete without this focus on qualifications, as they are key to accessing employment, apprenticeships, and sustainable futures beyond prison walls.

Supporting neurodiverse learners

With over 30% of prison learners having a learning difficulty and/or disabilities, it is crucial that we have the right support and interventions in place so that our education provision meets the individual needs of each learner, as well as equipping learners with the right skills and coping strategies to be successfully rehabilitated.

At Novus we are dedicated to tailoring our education services so that all learners, can access the education and support that they need to gain the skills and qualifications which will help them find employment upon release.

We support neurodivergent learners as we know they have difficulty with conventional teaching methods and may require specialised educational support.

At Novus we provide additional support for neurodiverse learners which include supportive learning programmes, accessible learning environments and adapted curriculum materials. All of which contribute to ensure neurodiverse learners have access to the resources they need to be successful.

Employment opportunities in radio for a former HMP Isis and HMP Brixton learner

A former learner who served his sentence at HMP Isis before transferring to HMP Brixton has successfully built a career in radio after release, thanks to support from Novus and National Prison Radio during his time in prison.

At HMP Isis, he enrolled in the Radio Broadcasting course and completed his NCFE Radio Broadcasting qualification. After transferring to HMP Brixton, he worked as a producer and presenter on National Prison Radio for the remainder of his sentence.

Upon release, he began a traineeship with the Prison Radio Association, which included a work-experience placement at BBC Radio 1Xtra. He then applied for the BBC ‘Where It Begins’ radio scheme, competing against 399 applicants, and successfully secured a place, gaining valuable experience.

The scheme has now concluded, and the former learner is currently working as a freelance content assistant, thriving in his new career.

By participating in education courses like the Radio Broadcasting course and making the most of employment opportunities while in prison, he not only gained qualifications and skills but also developed the experience and confidence needed to work in an industry he is passionate about.

Learner success story at HMP Low Newton

A neurodiverse learner from HMP Low Newton has been making excellent progress in her education journey. She faces challenges with ADHD and dyslexia, but with support from her tutor, prison staff, and Novus, appropriate targets have been set to help her succeed.

Through a tailored individual learning plan, learning journals, and ongoing guidance from her tutor and Novus colleagues, the learner receives the support she needs to attend classes and access essential services, including the Primrose therapy intervention programme.

While completing her Level 2 Hairdressing qualification, targets have been set to ensure she can get the most out of her classes. Collaborative discussions with her tutors and Novus colleagues have given her a voice in shaping her learning plan, allowing her to direct her education in a way that supports her neurodiverse needs.

Before starting hairdressing, the learner completed her Functional Skills English and Maths courses. Initially, she was reluctant and struggled with ADHD while completing English. She was waiting for her ADHD medication and spent significant time in the Care and Supervision Unit (CSU).

After expressing her interest in hairdressing, the Governor and hairdressing tutor worked together to encourage her to complete her Maths qualification, a requirement to start the hairdressing course. With the right support, she successfully finished Maths and secured her place on the hairdressing program.

This story highlights how prison education and rehabilitation can change lives and strengthen communities. By supporting education, skills development, and personal growth, we can help learners achieve lasting positive change.

Prison rehabilitation can change lives

Prison rehabilitation works when education, skills development, personal growth, and social support are combined. Robust evidence continues to underline the value of education programmes in reducing reoffending and improving outcomes for learners after release.

However, current challenges in the prison system, including resource constraints, overcrowding and reductions in core educational provision, highlight the need for sustained investment and policy focus to ensure rehabilitation can achieve its full potential.

By supporting education programmes, strengthening support networks, and expanding employment pathways, we can foster lasting change and help learners build healthier, more productive lives. This benefits individuals, families and communities alike.

To learn more about our education provision and how we support learners, take a look at the news section.