How prison education contributes to societal safety

Prison education plays a key role in the successful rehabilitation of offenders, allowing them to gain the skills and qualifications needed to become thriving members of society ready to give back.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the benefits of education programmes, focusing on their role in reducing reoffending, improving prison conditions, preparing learners for reintegration, and enhancing community safety.

How prison education contributes to societal safety

According to new Government statistics, the reoffending rate is 42% and over 59% of adult prisoners released from custodial sentences of less than 12 months will go on to reoffend. 

In order for prisoners to be successfully rehabilitated and give back to the community, they need to engage in rehabilitation and intervention programmes available in prison, so that they can address the root causes of their behaviours and gain the qualifications, skills and experience needed to be successful upon release.

Research by the Ministry of Justice suggests that individuals 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 a key role in the successful rehabilitation of offenders, helping to bring down the reoffending rates and helping to shape prisoners into well-rounded individuals who are ready to give back to society and turn away from a life of crime, creating safer communities.

Enhancing the prison environment through prison education

Education programmes can also have a positive impact on prison culture, fostering a more constructive environment, where learners can learn and grow as individuals in a calm and positive space.

At Novus our education programmes are designed to meet the needs of each learner so they can gain the qualifications needed to find employment upon release, as well as gain transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, decision making, and resilience that can be utilised in everyday life. By addressing the various social, psychological, and rehabilitative needs of learners, education can foster a positive environment for learners to become well-rounded individuals.

Improves mental health and wellbeing

Education programmes can have a positive impact on a learner’s mental health and wellbeing in a variety of ways. Engaging in education gives learners structure and routine which can help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. It also gives learners the opportunity to engage in positive and meaningful activities, helping them realise their potential and showing them that they can contribute positively to society, boosting their self-esteem and sense of purpose.

Inspiring and encouraging learners to make a positive change in their lives isn’t possible until they believe in themselves and their abilities. Education allows learners to develop new skills and qualifications, boosting their self-worth and confidence as well as helping them to fee a sense of achievement which can positively contribute to their rehabilitation.

Reduces reoffending

Research conducted by the Ministry of Justice found that individuals who engage in education whilst in prison are significantly less likely to reoffend. Prison education plays a key role in reducing reoffending and helping learners find employment upon release, which is why we try to engage as many prisoners as possible in our education offer.

Promotes equality and inclusion

Prison education can help to promote equality and inclusion by recognising and addressing the diverse needs of learners, removing barriers to learning, and giving all individuals who enter the prison system a fair chance to engage in education and improve their lives.

At Novus we understand that the ‘one size fits all’ approach to education doesn’t benefit our learners, which is why we tailor our education provision to meet the individual needs of each learner, so that all learners have the chance to access education programme and services.

Creates a positive prison culture

Learners who engage in education often become role models or peer mentors, encouraging other prisoners to engage in education, as well as fostering a respectful and constructive prison culture. Education can also improve communication between staff and learners, encouraging mutual respect and cooperation.

Preparing inmates for successful societal reintegration

At Novus we provide a wide curriculum offer to all learners who want to engage in education, including English, maths and digital skills courses, creative enrichment and technical and vocational training. Education is an important tool to help prisoners back into society as it provides learners with the opportunity to gain qualifications and skills needed to navigate daily life, find employment and become successfully rehabilitated upon release.

Reducing reoffending through skill development

English, maths and digital skills

English, maths and digital skills are the fundamental pillars of our education offer and are the essential skills all learners need to have to find employment upon release as well as progress onto other education programmes whilst in prison.

By improving learner’s confidence, ability and skills in English, maths and digital skills, we help learners close their skills gaps so they can find long-term employment that will keep them from re-offending upon release.

Vocational and technical training

We offer vocational and technical training so that learners can gain industry-relevant skills and experience for their chosen career path. Our vocational and technical education provision includes high-quality vocational training programmes and workshops, delivered by skilled and experienced tutors and trainers.

We have developed a vocational prison education curriculum that is informed and co-designed by our partner employers, so our learners and future employers can be confident they are gaining the relevant skills in their chosen career path.

By engaging in vocational and technical training, learners will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to find employment upon release, so when they re-enter society, they are able to find long-term employment that will deter them from a life of crime, contributing to safer communities.

Creative enrichment

Our creative enrichment provision is a key part of our curriculum and is integral in engaging learners who don’t participate or struggle to participate in other forms of education. Creative enrichment is crucial in allowing us to embed new and innovative ways of delivering education across the entire curriculum, including vocational subjects, English, maths and digital as well as arts and enrichment.

Our creative enrichment programmes not only engage learners in education, but they also help to improve their soft skills, encouraging them to develop crucial social and interactive skills that will benefit them upon release.

Soft skills development

Whilst technical skills are essential to find a job upon release, it is important that learners also develop ‘softer skills’ such as communication and teamwork to successfully re-integrate into society upon release. In order for learners to find long-term employment and be successful in their job role, they need to develop transferable skills that will positively contribute to their employment.

We understand the importance of learners being able to develop soft skills and we offer a variety of education courses, training opportunities and workshops which all positively contribute to the development of learner’s soft skills.

Employment opportunities upon release

Employment is a key factor in the successful rehabilitation of learners, so whilst in prison it’s crucial that they are equipped with the skills and qualifications needed to find employment upon release.

However, it can often be quite difficult for prison leavers to find employment opportunities upon release for several reasons such as stigmas around criminal records, lack of education and qualifications, lack of employment support and untreated mental health conditions.

At Novus, we aim to break down these barriers so that learners are equipped with the qualifications and skills needed to find employment upon release and successfully re-integrate into society. 

As well as our education provision, we offer employment support for learners, through our Novus Works team, Partner Employers and 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.

Societal safety and wellbeing: The bigger picture

Prison education plays a vital role in contributing to societal safety by addressing the root causes of offending and promoting successful rehabilitation. By equipping learners with the essential skills, qualifications and a renewed sense of purpose, education reduces the likelihood of reoffending and supports a smoother transition back into society.

To find out more about how we prepare learners for life outside of prison and how we equip them with the qualifications and skills needed to reintegrate back into society, take a look at our news section.