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Getting new skills in prison

A prisoner can work in a job and get educational qualifications at the same time. For example, they could go on a training course in painting and decorating and also go to reading classes.

Individual Learning Plan - what it is

Soon after arriving at prison, a prisoner talks to the prison education staff about courses and training. The staff assess the prisoner's current knowledge and skills.

From this, an ‘Individual Learning Plan’ is set up. It could include learning to:

• read and write
• do maths
• manage money
• use computers and technology

An Individual Learning Plan can also include learning a skill like:

• painting and decorating
• bricklaying
• hairdressing
• gardening
• teaching sport and fitness

Prisoners may also be able to do a ‘distance learning’ course - for example, an Open University (OU) course.

Education staff can help prisoners that need extra support when learning, for example, those who have a learning difficulty or disability.

Qualifications

Most courses lead to qualifications that are recognised by employers outside prison, like:

• GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
• NVQs (National Vocational Qualification)

Qualifications can be used to carry on with education after leaving prison.

• Qualifications explained (education and learning section)

Types of work that can be done in prison

Many prisons give prisoners the chance to work while they carry out their prison sentence.

Types of work include:

• printing, clothing and furniture manufacturing
• putting together electrical components

This type of work is done in prison workshops.

Prisoners can also work around the prison itself - for example, in kitchens, laundries, gardens and cleaning cells and landings.

‘Job clubs’ in prison

Some prisons run their own job clubs. These help prisoners:

• prepare for job interviews
• learn how to search for jobs

Community work a prisoner may be able to do

Working for the local community near the prison is called ‘working out’. This gives certain prisoners the chance to build up their confidence before they leave prison.

A prisoner can only do community work if the prison thinks they:

• are not a risk to the public
• will return to prison

If the prisoner is in an open prison or at the end of their sentence, they could work on a voluntary basis and move to paid employment.

See ‘Types of prison and security categories’ to find out more about open prisons.

See ‘When a prisoner may be eligible for release’ for information about when a prisoner can be released for short periods of time.

• Types of prison and security categories

• When a prisoner may be eligible for release