Novus Education Spotlighted in Channel 5 Programme on Prison Literacy

A recent Channel 5 News report, No Words Limited by Literacy, has brought national attention to the critical role reading plays in rehabilitation, resettlement, and reducing reoffending. Filmed at HMP Hatfield, the programme follows learners and staff as they prepare men nearing release for life beyond custody, placing literacy at the centre of that journey.

The Novus education provision and classroom teaching is featured in the programme showcasing how our education department at HMP Hatfield is leading a whole-prison approach to reading. The broadcast comes at a significant moment, closely aligning with the findings of the HMPPS and Ofsted review into reading in prisons, which called for reading to be treated as a core life skill rather than an optional extra.

The Literacy Challenge: Why Prison Reading Skills Matter

The report opens with a stark reality. More than half of adult prisoners in the UK struggle with reading and writing, a barrier that follows them long after release.

“When people leave prison, they’re expected to rejoin the world and contribute to society, get a job, pay taxes,” the programme explains. “But it can be really hard if that person struggles to read and write.”

This challenge is exactly what Novus educators at HMP Hatfield are addressing. Reading is not confined to the classroom or library. Novus has created reading corners in every classroom, which they have also expanded, in collaboration with Learning Support Managers (LSM), to every residential area. Books are visible throughout the prison, making literacy a natural and integrated part of daily life.

Even during breaks in learning, reading is encouraged as part of the routine. It’s common to see learners enjoying a coffee with a chapter, rather than following a formal “drop everything and read” approach. This strategy normalises reading as a relaxing, productive habit.

Novus Teaching Builds Literacy, Confidence, and Life Skills in Prison

In the classroom, viewers see a Novus teacher, Fay Johnson working patiently with learners who have often experienced years of educational failure. One prisoner describes his initial lack of confidence, admitting he thought, “I can’t do this,” before being reassured by his teacher’s calm and supportive approach.

The teaching focuses on practical literacy skills that directly support resettlement. Learners practise writing formally, using correct punctuation and grammar, and develop the confidence needed for CVs, job applications, and everyday communication.

“They teach the skills they’ll need for writing CVs, training for jobs, even helping children with homework,” the programme notes.

Novus also runs quarterly Big Read events, led by teachers and LSMs. These events feature special visits, free books, and dedicated reading time. Since launching the Big Read in 2024, the programme has logged over 300 hours of reading and engaged more than 600 participants, both staff and prisoners.

For learners, the impact is profound. One participant notes improved self-esteem and a renewed focus on life goals: “I’ve learned more about me… I’m focused on what I want to achieve when I get out.”

Reading Education Supports Successful Prisoner Resettlement

The programme highlights the tangible outcomes of this focus. At HMP Hatfield, 86 percent of prisoners are in employment six months after release, despite many having experienced addiction, abuse, and significant disadvantage earlier in life.

The governor, Mick Mills emphasises that overcoming literacy challenges is “absolutely vital” to reintegration and behaviour change, reinforcing the message that reading is not an academic add-on but a core rehabilitation tool.

This aligns closely with the HMPPS reading education review, which found that prisoners with poor literacy are more likely to struggle in custody and less likely to succeed on release. The review called for stronger leadership, better teaching of reading, and a culture that values literacy as essential to rehabilitation.

Charlie Taylor Highlights Reading as Key to Reducing Reoffending

Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, praised HMP Hatfield while reinforcing the national importance of reading education.

“Hatfield’s an exceptionally good prison,” he said. “It focuses on teaching reading. It also focuses on getting prisoners into work and stopping that cycle of reoffending.”

Drawing directly on findings from the recent inspection review, Charlie Taylor was clear about the wider stakes:

“If we want them to come out and be successful, and bear in mind we’re spending £50,000 a year to keep someone locked up, let’s get some value for money and teach these men and women to read so they can get a job when they come out… If we don’t give people the skills that they need, they’ll just relapse back into that cycle of reoffending.”

He went further, addressing scepticism about the impact of literacy on reoffending:

Reading is not the only thing, but it’s an important part of rehabilitation.

HMPPS Reading Review Meets Novus Classroom Practice

While the review acknowledges budget pressures and slow progress in some areas, the Channel 5 programme shows what is possible when reading is prioritised and supported by skilled educators. Novus demonstrates how classroom teaching, residential reading corners, daily reading culture, and Big Read events can work together to transform outcomes.

This holistic approach shows that reading can be a catalyst for confidence, employability, and reduced reoffending, providing learners with the skills, focus, and motivation they need to succeed both inside prison and beyond the gate. For more information on good practice across Novus sites, visit our news section.