The positive impact of education on prisoner wellbeing

Prison education and training provides learners with the technical skills and qualifications needed to be successful upon release however, it also plays an integral role in supporting mental wellbeing by creating structure, purpose and a sense of fulfilment.

For UK prisoners, who face substantially higher rates of mental illness than the rest of the population, this can be truly life changing. Studies show that 11.4% of prisoners experience depression, compared to only 6-8% of those outside of prison. 

Without the right support, the challenges attached to poor wellbeing can create vicious cycles that make rehabilitation harder for prisoners to achieve. Thankfully, education offers a way forward. 

By building self-esteem, developing life skills, and creating a sense of direction, learning can give inmates a sense of hope for their future after prison.

In this article, we’ll look at how access to education can transform learner wellbeing, not just by supporting mental health, but by giving learners the tools they need to reintegrate into society and set themselves up for success after release.
 

The impact of prison on wellbeing

According to research conducted by the centre for mental health nine out of ten prisoners are thought to have at least one mental health or substance misuse problem.

Prison can be an isolating and lonely experience and can have a detrimental impact on prisoner’s mental health and wellbeing. Addressing the mental health and wellbeing of prisoners and providing them with the support and services necessary can have a significant impact on their successful rehabilitation.  

At Novus, we support the mental health and wellbeing of learners through prison education as it provides learners a positive outlet which can have a direct and positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. 

How education improves learner wellbeing 

Prison education can improve learner’s mental health and wellbeing in a variety of ways, as it gives learners structure and routine, helping to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Engaging in our education services, shows learners that they can partake in meaningful work and activities, showing them that they can contribute positively to society, boosting their self-esteem and sense of purpose.  

Prison education can unlock an individual’s true potential and show them what they can achieve. However, prison education goes beyond equipping learners with the skills and qualifications needed to thrive upon release, it also fosters personal growth and increased self-esteem. 

Inspiring and encouraging learners to make a positive change in their lives isn’t possible until they believe in themselves and their abilities. Through education, learners are able to develop personally and increase their self-esteem and confidence. If learners are shown how they can positively contribute to society through the work they do in education, it will give them a new-found confidence and belief in themselves and their ability to make a positive change in their lives. 
 

Rehabilitating ex-offenders through prison education

Research conducted by the Ministry of Justice found that people who had participated in education whilst in prison were significantly less likely to reoffend within 12 months of release than those who had not. Prison education plays an integral role in the successful rehabilitation of offenders, which is why we try to engage as many prisoners as possible in our education offer. 

How Novus supports prisoner wellbeing

At Novus we support learners in education through a variety of ways which can have a positive impact on learner wellbeing. 

Education and training opportunities

We provide education and training programmes to equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful upon release. 

Our prison education offer varies in our different locations to meet the demands of the region; however, we offer several key courses that make up our education provision that are available in all prison establishments where Novus operate in. 

These are:

• English and maths
• Digital Skills
• Vocational training 
• Creative enrichment

Education can have a huge impact on a learner’s mental health and wellbeing as it provides learners a sense of purpose, reducing feelings of boredom and hopelessness, which can contribute to depression and anxiety.

By engaging in education, learners are able to gain new skills and qualifications. Achieving qualifications builds confidence and self-worth, helping learners see themselves in a more positive light and shows them that they are capable of achieving and contributing positively to society. 
 

Literacy Festival at HMP Low Newton

Recently, HMP Low Newton held a Literacy Festival. The main aims of the literacy festival were to promote the reading strategy prison-wide, celebrate reading, creative writing and poetry, as well as bring together readers of all levels and raise awareness of the impact that reading and writing have on wellbeing. 
 

Events like this, not only provide learners the opportunity to engage in reading but also shows them how positive outlets such as reading and writing can have a positive impact on their wellbeing. It's important that we host events like this, so that we can further engage learners in education, as well as provide learners with strategies and techniques that will positively impact their wellbeing as well as facilitate important discussions around mental health and wellbeing.
 

Creative enrichment

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 previous negative relationship with education i.e., 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.

Creative enrichment not only helps learners develop their creative skills, but it can also have a positive impact on their wellbeing. Creative enrichment provides learners with a positive outlet to express their feelings and emotions through art and other creative outlets. 

It helps learners re-discover themselves and helps them develop new hobbies and interests that they may not have thought of before. 
 

Celebrating International Men's Health Week at HMP Liverpool

At Novus, it is important that we provide the information and skills necessary to educate learners about their general health and mental health and wellbeing. So that, whilst in prison and upon release, they are able to put the right steps in place to ensure they are looking after themselves and get help if/when they need to.
 

In June last year, HMP Liverpool arranged a collaborative wellbeing event to mark 30 years of International Men’s Health Week, a global initiative aimed at increasing awareness of male health issues.
 

Last year, the International Men’s Health theme focused on testicular cancer. Novus staff, learners and partner agencies all participated in the event, which saw the curriculum replaced with fun wellbeing activities such as yoga, meditation, drama and karate sessions designed to boost learner’s moods and enhance their knowledge around testicular cancer, their general wellbeing and mental health.

Employment support

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 teams provide a wide range of support to help learners develop the skills needed to find, apply and secure a job. 

Employment can have a huge positive impact on the wellbeing of former prisoners, influencing everything from mental health to social integration. 
 

Financial stability 

Having a job upon release, ensures former learners are able to look after themselves financially. A steady income reduces the anxiety and stress that come with financial hardship that can leave former prisoners vulnerable to reoffending and allows learners to become financially independent. 

Improved mental health and wellbeing 

Employment provides structure, purpose and a sense of achievement that many former learners may never have experienced before. Being able to provide for themselves as well as their families shows learners that they are able to contribute positively to society without having to return to a life of crime. 

Social reintegration

Having a job, means that learners are able to contribute positively to society and helps them feel part of a community again. This can help to build confidence, restore dignity and can also create opportunities to form positive social connections. 

Reducing reoffending 

Employment is a key factor in rehabilitation and reducing the risk of reoffending. Studies show that prison leavers who find a job after release are less likely to reoffend, highlighting the importance of learners finding employment upon release. 

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.

Thanks to the support from education and the employment services that Novus offer, not only was this learner able to successfully find employment upon release, but she was also able to develop her confidence and belief in herself which further motivated her to change her life around and find employment upon release. 

Supporting prison education initiatives can help break the cycle of offending and improve overall wellbeing. Find out more about what we do at Novus or contact us to find out how you can work with us to support learner wellbeing & rehabilitation.