Reoffending rates in the UK: Breaking the cycle of reoffending

For over 30 years, Novus has worked with learners of all education levels and abilities in prisons across England and Wales.

Prison education is a key contributor to a learner's successful rehabilitation, which is why we engage as many prisoners as possible so they can gain the skills and qualifications needed to thrive on release.

Reoffending on release carries a significant cost to society, so it is vital that we engage prisoners in education that equips them with the skills, qualifications, and experiences needed to become well-rounded individuals, ready to give back to their communities on release.

Reoffending rates in the UK

According to the latest Ministry of Justice statistics, the overall proven reoffending rate in England and Wales is 28.9%, while 56.6% of adults released from custodial sentences of less than 12 months go on to reoffend. Short-sentence prisoners therefore reoffend at almost double the overall rate, an issue that has shaped policy thinking for years.

Reducing reoffending in the UK

Prisoners reoffend for a range of reasons: lack of support after release, poor mental health, difficulty finding employment, and a lack of qualifications or education. At Novus, we run a variety of strategies and programmes, so learners get the support they need whilst in prison and leave equipped with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to be successfully rehabilitated.

How prison education reduces reoffending

Ministry of Justice research analysed by the Justice Data Lab found that people who 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 reducing reoffending and helping learners find employment on release, which is why we try to engage as many prisoners as possible in our education offer.

Many learners enter custody with no qualifications, low education levels, and poor previous experiences of school. It is crucial that we engage them in a way that meets their individual needs so they can leave equipped with the skills and qualifications to find work.

Functional skills

English, maths, and digital skills are essential functional skills for finding employment after release and functioning as a member of society. By improving learners' 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 keeps them away from crime.

Vocational training

Providing learners with industry-relevant skills and experience for their chosen career path means they can step into employment or further training on release and build a positive future.

We offer learners high-quality vocational training programmes, short courses, taster courses, and training workshops, all delivered by skilled tutors and trainers who are experts in their field. Our learners work towards nationally recognised qualifications, with embedded English, maths, and employability skills available for those who need extra support, so they can develop the holistic skill set employers look for.

Employment and reoffending

Prison leavers who find a job after release are less likely to reoffend, highlighting the importance of learners moving into work. Employment is one of the strongest protective factors in rehabilitation, and our experienced team provides extensive support to help learners find, apply for, and secure long-term employment.

Our employment support includes:

• CV advice and guidance
• Job searching and application help
• Guidance on disclosure
• Interview preparation and performance.

Novus Works

As part of our employment support, Novus Works acts as a bridge between our learners and employer partners, connecting education with employment. For learners, Novus Works builds confidence through interview practice and CV development. For employers, Novus Works helps pair prison leavers with local and national businesses and minimises the resource needed to secure motivated talent.

Working with employer partners

To create more employment opportunities for learners, we work in partnership with a varied range of local and national employers. Working with employers such as Greene King and Balfour Beatty enables us to design employer-led vocational training programmes and develop viable routes into work. These partnerships also allow learners to form connections and professional relationships with businesses that can support their job search on release.

Working with employer partners to support learners into employment at HMP Low Newton

HMP Low Newton recently hosted a visit from Mott MacDonald to support the prison's employment provision. A team of project managers from Mott MacDonald delivered a session to six female learners, focusing on identifying and developing soft skills in preparation for future employment. The visit was facilitated collaboratively by Sarah, our Novus Works Resettlement Coordinator, and IAG provider Acron.

The session was well received, with one learner saying:

Sharing information about everyone's goals and listening to how to use soft skills was good.

Neurodiverse support

Over 30% of prisoners have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, according to Ofsted, so it is crucial that we tailor our delivery to make sure every learner can engage with education. At Novus we are dedicated to adapting our education services so that all learners can access the support they need to gain the skills and qualifications to thrive on release.

Our provision includes guidance, tailored learning programmes, accessible learning environments, and adapted curriculum materials. Our skilled and experienced SENCos, teachers, tutors, trainers, and support colleagues work with learners to identify the support strategies, aids, and adaptations that enable progression.

How tailored education plans benefit neurodiverse learners

When it comes to prison education, the 'one size fits all' approach does not benefit our neurodiverse learners. Tailoring education plans to individual needs is integral to our provision, so all learners have the chance to access programmes and services in a way that works for them.

Tailored programmes accommodate different learning styles, making education a more positive experience and helping learners gain the qualifications they need to find work on release. Being able to take part in education in a way that suits them shows learners they are capable of thriving in a learning environment and obtaining new qualifications and skills.

That new-found confidence raises self-esteem and belief in a positive future. With their skills, qualifications, and self-belief in place, learners have a better chance of being successfully rehabilitated and finding employment on release.

Creative enrichment to support mental health and wellbeing

Our creative enrichment provision helps learners improve their self-knowledge, develop self-confidence, and build interpersonal skills. It engages learners who would not otherwise take part in education and encourages them to get involved in non-traditional ways.

By engaging in education on their own terms, learners begin to see it positively and are more likely to pursue further qualifications that help them find employment.

Creative enrichment also supports mental health and wellbeing. Through art projects and enrichment activities, learners gain a positive outlet to process their emotions and experiences in a healthy way, which can have a meaningful impact on their wellbeing.

Wellbeing events

As part of our mental health and wellbeing support, we make sure learners have the information and skills to look after their general health and mental wellbeing, both whilst in prison and on release.

Celebrating International Men's Health Week at HMP Liverpool

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. In 2024, the theme focused on testicular cancer. Novus staff, learners, and partner agencies participated in the event, which replaced curriculum sessions with wellbeing activities designed to boost learners' moods and build their knowledge of testicular cancer, general wellbeing, and mental health.

Supporting family ties to reduce reoffending

Research suggests that learners who maintain positive family ties are less likely to reoffend on release. At Novus, we run a range of family engagement programmes across our prison sites to give learners every chance of building those connections.

Strengthening family ties at HMP Highdown

HMP Highdown has been incorporating art into its Storybook Dads initiative as a way of strengthening family ties. Learners record their chosen story in the library, then attend an art session where they create a drawing or painting based on the characters and story in the book. The project allows learners to engage in reading and respond creatively, with a similar positive impact on their children at home.

Does rehabilitation reduce reoffending?

For reoffending rates to fall, prisoners need to be successfully rehabilitated so they can positively contribute to society. Taking part in the support and provision available in prisons, including education and employment support, gives learners the confidence, skills, and qualifications to find work on release, support themselves and their families, and turn away from crime.

Mental health and wellbeing support, alongside creative enrichment, also contributes to personal development. Learners can build the strategies, techniques, and routines needed to look after themselves on release.

Through education, enrichment, and wellbeing support, Novus equips learners with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications needed to thrive in society. To find out more about how we support learners in education and rehabilitation, get in touch with our team, take a look at our latest news or explore careers in prison education if you want to be part of this work.