The economic benefits of investing in prison education

Prison education plays a key role in the successful rehabilitation of learners as it equips learners with the qualifications and skills to find long-term employment upon release and become positive members of society. 

Whilst in prison, it is crucial that prisoners engage in prison education programmes so that they can address the root causes of their behaviours and gain the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to be successful upon release, thus reducing reoffending rates. However, the successful rehabilitation of offenders can also benefit society economically and socially, making for safer communities and reducing the cost of reoffending. 

Reducing reoffending rates through education

Reoffending is when a prisoner continues to commit crime once released from prison. According to the reoffending statistics released by the Government, the overall proven reoffending rate is 26.4% and over 56% of prisoners who are serving sentences of less than 12 months will go on to reoffend. 

In order for learners to be successfully rehabilitated and become positive members of society, they need to engage in interventions and programmes such as education whilst in prison. We work with learners of various abilities, in prisons across England and Wales to reduce reoffending rates and ensure that learners are equipped with the skills and qualifications needed to thrive upon release. 

In the UK, reducing reoffending rates is a priority so that learners can be successfully rehabilitated and avoid going back to prison as well as benefitting the community both financially and socially. 
 

The economic benefits of investing in prison education

The Government spends an estimated £18.1 billion each year on reoffending alone, a significant cost which effects society as a whole. Education is integral to a learner’s successful rehabilitation, as it equips learners with the skills and qualifications needed to find employment upon release in turn reducing reoffending rates and the overall cost of it. 

At Novus, we provide prison education, training and support services to equip learners with the skills and qualifications needed to be successfully rehabilitated. 

Functional skills development

English, maths and digital skills are essential functional skills needed to function as a member of modern society. English, maths and digital skills are essential requirements that all employers look for in a potential candidate without them, learners will find it difficult to find long-term employment upon release. 

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

Technical and vocational skills development 

At Novus, we offer learners high-quality vocational training programmes and workshops all delivered by skilled and experienced 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 learners who need extra support, so they can develop a holistic skill set required by employers. 

Providing learners with industry-relevant skills and experience for their chosen career paths means they can find employment or further training upon release which can have a direct and positive impact on reducing reoffending rates.  

Better opportunities for learners

By engaging in prison education, learners have the opportunity to gain the skills and qualifications needed to find employment upon release which can have a positive impact on the economy not only for the individual, but also for society as a whole. 

Increased employment and tax revenue

Former learners equipped with education and qualifications are more likely to find employment upon release. If learners are able to find employment upon release it reduces the dependency on benefits and enables learners to provide for themselves and become financially independent. 

Employment for offenders = contributing tax and positively contributing to society as a whole. 

Filling skills gaps 

A third of businesses claim that they are unable to address skills gaps specifically in key sectors such as construction, logistics and technology, which can have a knock-on impact on productivity and performance. 

At Novus we provide learners the opportunity to gain industry-level skills, with learners gaining nationally recognised qualifications. Employers can take advantage of this opportunity and recruit ex-offenders, to resolve skills shortages as well as helping prisoners and ex-offenders get their lives back on track. 
 

Breaking the cycle

Research suggests that children who have a parent in prison are at an increased risk of offending themselves as they don’t have that positive role model to look up to enforce good behaviour. However, if learners with children engage in education, they end up setting a positive example, showing their children that change and growth are possible, helping to break down intergenerational imprisonment as well as reducing the cost of offending in the future.  

Invest in a better economy with Novus 

Prison education not only benefits the learner but also benefits the economy and society as a whole. Prison education plays a key role in the successful rehabilitation of offenders, equipping them with the skills and qualifications needed to find long-term employment upon release, helping to reduce the reoffending rates as well as the cost of reoffending. 

Prison education reduces social costs, boosts employment rates, and decreases crime. To learn more about how we support the successful rehabilitation of offenders, take a look at our news section.