PRISONER EDUCATION WOULD CUT RE-OFFENDING

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 19th Jan 2004

David Rendel MP has criticised the Government's failure to support education in prisons adequately.

Mr Rendel intervened at Home Office Questions today, and pointed to HM Prison Service's conclusion that the single action most likely to impact on re-offending is investment in education to enable prisoners to obtain jobs on release.

50% of released prisoners are re-convicted within two years.

Mr Rendel said:

"Education can reduce re-offending by up to 14% a year according to the Prison Service.

"But 80% of prisoners lack the writing skills needed to fill in a job application form.

"The Government's failure to invest enough in prisoner education has resulted in more crime."