AQO 1168/22-27


Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 07/11/2024
Answered On Date: 19/11/2024
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice to outline the educational and training provision for prisoners.


Answer:
Rehabilitation is a key priority for the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS). Those committed to its care by the courts are supported and challenged to change and address their offending behaviour.
Through a wide and progressive curriculum, NIPS offers individuals the opportunity to develop skills and attain qualifications. This will help give them the best chance to secure gainful employment on release, which evidence shows is a key factor in desisting reoffending.
Delivery of the curriculum is provided by Belfast Met and North West Regional College, adopting the Further Education delivery model.
Cognisant of the diverse needs of the prison population a varied curriculum offers accredited training from Entry Level 3 to Level 3 in educational, vocational and employability skills. This includes Essential Skills training in Literacy, Numeracy and Information Computer Technology; construction skills such as bricklaying, joinery and tiling; hospitality skills such as barista training, catering, and food hygiene; as well as training in barbering, hair and beauty. Soft skills such as interview techniques and CV writing are also offered as part of the range of employability skills programs.
The curriculum is kept under review to respond to the changing needs of the prison population, emerging industries within the labour market and labour market shortages, including current and future skills gaps.
Belfast Met, as the lead College acting on behalf of the college partnership, recently conducted a substantive curriculum review, making recommendations which will be used to help inform the strategic direction of learning and skills over the next 5 to 10 years.
In addition to the core learning and skills provision all persons in NIPS care have access to higher education, currently offered through the Open University.