PCS argues for need to widen prison training

12 Apr 07
Civil servants have called on the government to maintain prison-based education schemes amid fears that financial constraints and overcrowding could lead to higher re-offending rates.

13 April 2007

Civil servants have called on the government to maintain prison-based education schemes amid fears that financial constraints and overcrowding could lead to higher re-offending rates.

Prison population figures for March showed that the Prison Service is operating close to capacity. Recent reports by government penal inspectors have also warned that commitments to in-house education and training programmes for inmates have waned as prison finances tighten.

Official figures showed that the prison population reached 80,316 in March, an increase of 3,281 on the same period for 2006. Higher use of police cells to house inmates – an emergency measure that Home Secretary John Reid wants to eradicate – was also revealed.

A spokesman for the Public and Commercial Services union, which represents Prison Service staff, said that 'the key' to tackling overcrowding 'is to invest in the Prison Service and its workforce – specifically in-house education and workshops, and programmes aimed at reducing re-offending'.

But last week chief inspector of prisons Anne Owers condemned a flagship training prison – Camp Hill on the Isle of Wight – for its low levels of provision.

The PCS and penal lobby groups are concerned that the efficiency agenda could hinder training provision elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the Institute for Public Policy Research has added its voice to the clamour for more community sentencing.

Its April 8 study claims that 5,000 inmates should qualify for treatments in mental health units; 2,000 women on short sentences should be given community-based punishments; and 5,000 inmates could be housed in drug rehabilitation centres. Researchers also claimed that the annual cost of imprisoning people could be £50,000: up to a third higher than some government estimates.

IPPR director Nick Pearce said: 'Prison is an expensive and ineffective way of warehousing social problems.'

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