A Look Inside: Understanding What Education is Offered in Prisons

Prison education is a key contributor to the successful rehabilitation of offenders, as it help learners gain the skills, qualifications and experience necessary to find employment upon release.  

Novus has been delivering education and training in UK prisons for over 30 years, offering a broad range of courses designed to meet the needs of all learners. 

From core subjects like English, maths, and digital skills to vocational training in areas such as catering, bricklaying, and hairdressing, our courses are designed to improve employability for every learner.  

We also offer higher education and creative enrichment opportunities to help learners realise their potential and prepare for a positive future after release. 

At Novus, we believe every prisoner deserves the opportunity to learn and make a lasting change in their life and community. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss the education provisions offered in prisons, and how they can transform the lives of former offenders. 

How prison education reduces offending 

Education plays a vital role in reducing reoffending rates. Recent statistics show that the reoffending rate in the UK sits at 26.5%, with over 56% of offenders serving sentences of less than 12 months going on to reoffend.  

Engaging in education equips prisoners with essential skills and qualifications, enhancing their employability and providing a sense of purpose. In fact, studies have shown that participation in education programmes can reduce the risk of reoffending by up to 13%. 

By investing in education, we offer prisoners the opportunity to transform their lives, benefiting both individuals and society.  

Educational programmes in prisons

English, maths and digital skills education

English, maths and digital skills are essential skills needed to find employment upon release and be successfully rehabilitated.  

These skills are the fundamental pillars of our education offer, and we’re dedicated to ensuring all learners are equipped with the qualifications needed to be successful upon release.  

However, many individuals who end up in prison have low abilities in these areas, which can make it difficult to find employment opportunities without turning to crime.  

By improving their confidence and ability in English, maths, and essential digital skills, we help learners close their skills gaps so they can find and retain work that keep them from re-offending post-release. 

Vocational training

Our vocational and technical training provision provides learners with the industry-relevant skills and experience needed for their chosen career path, helping learners to move into work or further training upon release. 

At Novus our vocational training provision varies from prison to prison but some of the main vocational courses that we offer include:

• Catering
• Hair and Beauty 
• Barbering 
• Bricklaying 
• Engineering
• Gardening

Learners work towards nationally recognised qualifications, with embedded English, maths and employability skills available for those learners who need extra support, so they can develop a holistic skill set required by employers.  

Employment and further training are also promoted through our delivery, enabling learners to return to their communities motivated, skilled, and ready for work. 
 

Employment success at HMP Styal

A former learner at HMP Styal successfully found employment upon release with Greene King, thanks to the education and employment support she received from Novus and Novus Works whilst in prison.  

Whilst in prison the learner initially attended the art class and then took part in the Barista class at the Bistro run by Novus.  

She decided to enrol on the course as it was a brand-new skill for her to learn and a transferable skill that she could utilise upon release and enhance her employment prospects.  

Whilst working in the Bistro, the learner achieved her barista award, Level 2 food hygiene and her Level 2 NVQ in Hospitality services. 

As well as achieving her qualifications, the learner took part in employer-led events and was motivated to accept support from Novus Works whilst working in the Bistro. Upon release, she maintained regular contact with Novus Works and was open to all opportunities offered.  

She attended several job interviews, impressing all potential employers and is now employed by Greene King on a part-time basis as well as working part-time at Starbucks. Both employers are extremely impressed with her and Starbucks are now looking at progressing her in role. 

Higher education opportunities for prison learners

Providing learners access to all levels of education is extremely important to us as it provides them with more employment opportunities upon release, positively impacting their rehabilitation.  

We work collaboratively with partners who are specialists in higher level learning and distance learning such as The Open University, Prisoner’s Education Trust and local colleges and universities, to ensure our programmes are up-to-date so that we can provide learners with the essential skills needed for the right job opportunities. 
 

Former Novus learner enrols on master’s programme at Liverpool Hope University

A former Novus learner with a keen interest in the film industry, has continued his education journey upon his release by enrolling on a master’s course with Liverpool Hope University, after engaging in creative enrichment sessions whilst in prison. 

The former learner was encouraged to attend enrichment sessions run by Liverpool Hope by some of his peers on the wing.  

After expressing his keen interest in film, Niamh and Gary (professors at Liverpool Hope University) encouraged the learner to integrate his knowledge of film into the classes he attended.  

This was mainly achieved through the discussions in class but also through the written tasks the learners were encouraged to take part in. 

During the sessions, Niamh and Gary also brought articles and books, that reflected different areas of interest, further engaging learners in the sessions and exposing them to broader creative interests.  

In one session, they brought in a course prospectus from Liverpool Hope University which the former learner was extremely interested in and was excited about the thought of going to University upon his release. 

Upon release, the former learner contacted Liverpool Hope University and was put in contact with Gary Anderson who arranged a meeting on campus, so the former learner could chat with tutors and other students about possible courses.  

The meeting was a success, and Gary helped the learner navigate the application process to get a place on a master's programme at the University.  

The former learner is now fully engaged in the master's programme, as a registered full-time student. He aspires to be in the film industry and is currently enjoying learning and exploring the film industry. 

Creative enrichment in prisons

Our creative enrichment provision is also a key area of our education offer. Our creative enrichment provision is crucial in allowing us to provide a broad curriculum offer, enabling us to enrich learner’s experiences and deliver quality opportunities. 

It also allows us to engage learners in new ways, often those who have had a bad relationship with education i.e., bad experiences in school or lack of support when in the education system at a young age.  

By engaging learners in education via creative enrichment projects and initiatives, it helps them build positive relationships and a joy for education, inspiring them to continue their education journey and gaining the relevant skills and qualifications needed to be successfully rehabilitated upon release.  

Accessibility of prison education

At Novus, we believe all prisoners have the right to access education and our education provision is offered to prisoners of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. 

Education induction

Upon entering prison, all individuals take part in an induction session with education. 

During the induction session, the tutor explains what is available and the courses/pathways that we provide. Learners will also undergo assessments so that they can be put on the right courses for their level and ability. 

Tailored education programmes

At Novus we understand that many prisoners experience barriers to accessing education whether that’s from negative school experiences to neurodiverse needs that make it difficult to engage in mainstream education. 

Tailoring our education programmes to meet the needs of each individual learner is integral to our education provision, so that all learners can access education programmes and services. 

Tailored education programmes accommodation individualised teaching and learning so that learners are able to engage in education in their own way, making it a more positive experience for them.  

With the right support and needs being met, learners can take part in education and gain the qualifications needed to find employment upon release. 

Prison education, rehabilitation and reoffending

Research conducted by the Ministry of Justice has found that learners who participate in prison education are less likely to reoffend within 12 months of release than those who don’t.  

Many learners enter custody without qualifications or a positive educational background, so it’s important to engage them in a way that meets their individual needs, helping them develop the skills and qualifications needed to find employment upon release.  

Prison education is integral to a learner’s successful rehabilitation, which is why we engage as many learners in education as possible.  

Discover more about the wide range of prison education and training opportunities we offer, including vocational courses, essential skills training, and higher education programmes.  

Get in touch with us today to learn more abut the Novus mission to improve lives and build safer, stronger communities.