Prison Education in the West Midlands: Reducing Reoffending and Driving Economic Growth

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for prison learners, Novus recently hosted a roundtable event bringing together partners and stakeholders from across the West Midlands. The event, titled “Prison Education in the West Midlands: Reducing Reoffending and Driving Economic Growth,” offered an opportunity to share insights, explore challenges, and discuss how we might work together more effectively to support prison leavers through education and employment.

We would like to thank everyone from HMPPS, New Futures Network, West Midlands Combined Authority, LTE Group and Novus who attended and contributed to such a constructive and collaborative discussion.

A Region Ready for Reform

Chair Steve Exley, LTE Group’s Head of Policy, PR and Public Affairs, opened the discussion by noting that prison education finds itself at the intersection of two major national policy shifts: the introduction of the Prisoner Education Service, and the move towards strengthening devolution across England.

John Thornhill, CEO of LTE Group, highlighted the need for Novus to make sure that our corporate strategy, which will take us to 2030, is in line with regional devolution and place-based priorities. He highlighted some key facts that need to be considered as part of the overall picture:

• Over 1 million young people (aged 16–25) are currently NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), making them more vulnerable to entering the prison system.
• Over 500 prisoners are released monthly into the West Midlands Combined Authority Area.
• Around 9 million people are economically inactive across the UK, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for inclusive workforce development.

John posed a critical question: Can the West Midlands create a unique, place-based model that connects prison education to local economic needs, underpinned by collaboration and innovation?

Aligning Strategies: The Combined Authority's Role

Claire Dhami from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) then shared an update on regional efforts to drive inclusive economic growth. The region's four core priorities:

1. Homes for everyone
2. Journeys for everyone
3. Jobs for everyone
4. Growth for everyone

The above includes prison leavers in the vision for a more equitable future, and we need to look at the added value that the Combined Authority can bring to the region.

WMCA’s employment and skills pillar is focusing on:

• Building strong, inclusive communities
• Addressing Level 2 skills needs
• Preparing for future workforce demands across 8 high-growth sectors

Despite strong foundations, Claire acknowledged that the link between prison education and regional workforce needs is not as strong as it could be. A recent visit to HMP Birmingham highlighted the urgent need to prepare prisoners for release with sector-relevant skills and clearer employment pathways.

Bridging the Gaps: Problems and Proposals 

Participants identified a lack of coordination between custody and community support. DWP support, especially work coaches within prisons, is under-resourced. While some local projects show promise, the system remains fragmented. Key challenges discussed included:

• Housing and employment support upon release is inconsistent
• Neurodiversity affects over 60% of the prison population, but tailored employment support is lacking
• Lack of access to technology and interviews before release limits pre-employment preparation

A unified “West Midlands model” could address these issues through place-based pilots, focused investment, and better collaboration between prisons, employers, and devolved authorities.

Solutions on the Table: From Apprenticeships to Self-Employment 

There was broad support for more prisoners starting apprenticeships while still in custody, with technology-enabled interviews and employer engagement pre-release. Second Chances Charters, an initiative to match prison leavers to jobs in skill-shortage sectors, could be scaled with support.

Additionally, many prisoners express a desire to become self-employed, particularly in racialised communities. The WMCA’s existing self-employment hubs, though new, could be replicated for the prison leaver community, offering tailored support, mentoring, and business startup guidance.

Aligning with Employer Needs

A recurring theme was the need for clearer pathways from prison education into real employment opportunities. This requires:

• Mapping employers’ needs to curriculum design
• Shifting focus from traditional roles (like catering) to in-demand roles in sectors like construction, logistics, health care, and green skills (e.g., retrofitting)
• More targeted and relevant bootcamps that match prisoners' interests and capabilities

Employers were identified as a critical partner, not only in offering jobs but in shaping the education and support systems around rehabilitation.

Culture Shift: Driving Engagement and Changing Perceptions

Despite ambitious programs, classrooms in prisons are often only half full. Changing this requires a cultural shift across prison staff, starting from officer induction training. Education must be seen as a core part of rehabilitation, not a bolt-on.

There was consensus that prison staff attitudes and internal prison communications have a major impact on learner engagement. Peer mentors, lived experience guides, and specialist neurodiverse support could also improve outcomes.

A Call to Action: Pilots, Partnerships, and Proof of Concept

Peter Cox concluded the roundtable by thanking participants and acknowledging the passion and drive in the room. He underscored the importance of piloting targeted interventions, collecting evidence of cost savings and social impact, and influencing national policy based on successful West Midlands models.

Some key takeaways:

• Pilots are essential: Prove it works, then scale
• Focus on place-based strategies
• Tailor support for neurodiverse individuals and those interested in self-employment
• Build stronger data-sharing protocols
• Enable early employer engagement pre-release

A West Midlands Model for the Nation? 

The West Midlands has all the ingredients, regional leadership, devolved funding, employer demand, and education expertise to become a trailblazer in prison education reform. The challenge now lies in coordinating efforts, aligning resources, and proving what works.

As Novus continues to play a pivotal role in delivering education in prisons across the region, the focus will remain on connecting education with employment, reducing reoffending, and ultimately, driving inclusive economic growth for all.