Evidence shows most prisoners have poor levels of education, with almost half of all offenders having been previously expelled from school and just a third having the expected maths and English ability of an 11-year-old.
The Government’s new Prisoner Education Service will include the first ever prisoner apprenticeships in catering through ‘ground-breaking’ partnerships with Greene King.
Prisons Minister Damian Hinds said: “Just as criminals must repay their debt to society, a forward-thinking prison system must give prisoners an alternative to the cycle of reoffending, and one of the best ways to do this is through education.
“Our improved Prisoner Education Service with specialist staff, tougher targets and increased focus on employment will be more effective at cutting crime and keeping the public safe. I am grateful to Ofsted and the chief inspector of prisons for their work championing this issue.”