Education cuts in prisons ultimately endanger the public, watchdog says

"I have serious concerns about the impact of real-terms education budget cuts on already inadequate provision and about the lack of real appetite and ambition for improvement that this represents. The prison service has a duty to protect the public by making prisoners less likely to reoffend when they are released, but too often it is failing to fulfil this responsibility."

"There is little doubt that many prisoners already leave jail and return to criminality, creating more victims of crime. These devastating cuts are likely to make this situation worse. The best governors know that jails, and ultimately our communities, are safer if prisoners are purposefully occupied, and that education, training and work play a vital role in motivating prisoners to turn their lives around."

Real-terms cuts to education, training and work in prisons are reducing access to programmes that help break the cycle of offending. Frontline spending on prison education has been cut by up to 50% while overall budgets have remained the same and contract costs have risen, according to governors. Reduced provision undermines prisoner motivation, purposeful activity and skills development, making released prisoners more likely to reoffend and creating further victims. High-quality education and training are essential to reduce appalling reoffending rates and to protect community safety, yet leadership commitment remains insufficient.

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