3B: What is 'success' in meeting the needs and interests of learners?

One prison provider offers enrichment activities in the form of social and life skills courses, which explore scenarios that are familiar, accessible and engaging to most prisoners. Enrichment is broadened by having some activities that are outside the prisoners’ current experience – poetry and reading activities are popular, for example. Cross-prison events are offered regularly. These value the varied cultural backgrounds and interests of prisoners, and recent events have included:

• Black History week
• Employers’ Forum, where prisoners meet prospective employers
• Participation in national achievement awards, for example, the Koestler Creative Awards
• Adult Learners’ Week
• A local Adult Learners’ Award
• Health promotion day.

In one prison, education staff are aware of the religious needs of inmates and value these needs. Those who wish to pray during the working day are allowed to attend services in the chapel. A room in the education department has been set aside for private prayer during Diwali and Ramadan. A poster was designed by a desktop publishing group for display in the chapel using designs created by inmates in the art class.

In one prison, a teacher arranged individual visits to a farm, a catering establishment (where one inmate gained a Health and Hygiene certificate) and a construction project to support inmates with basic skills needs. All three inmates involved in the visits are undertaking work-based accreditation. Some inmates found reading manuals and health and safety notices difficult, so a programme to support them was put in place.

Prisoners in one prison get the opportunity not only to seek counselling from The Samaritans if they need it, but also to train as Listeners themselves. Interested inmates undergo a six-month training course in listening and befriending skills. They gain a certificate at the end and become part of The Samaritans group. Other prisoners in need can be put in touch with helpers by asking any member of staff; for example, the health care team, the Chaplaincy, probation staff, visitors or staff from any other department of the prison. The Samaritans also offers support, care and guidance to friends and families of inmates who are finding it hard to cope.

One prison contractor offers a ‘Focus Course’ aimed at prisoners who are due for release or resettlement. The programme is a hybrid of directed training sessions, workshops and career guidance. Activities include sessions on the skills needed to prepare a professional CV and to write a letter of application. Learners are also taught interview skills, telephone skills and they take part in activities to promote soft skills such as a morale-boosting course called ‘the Feel Good Factor’. Advice is also given on how and when to disclose convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The education department arranges careers interviews with an advisor from the local Careers Service, who visits the prison each month.

 

Naseb is at an open prison. He says, ‘I am a prisoner but I also teach. Since being in prison, I have done the [City and Guilds] 9282 qualification. I teach English at Entry Level 1. I teach four hours a day. I work one-to-one. First, inmates are assessed using a written test. I negotiate a plan of work with them. I set targets for three months and for six months. I design a learning programme around what will be of benefit to them. I put in anything they need, even everyday needs. Sometimes it’s banking or job interviews or filling in forms or writing letters.’

Does Naseb take part in assessment? ‘No, I don’t assess inmates. But the targets I set have to reach the national targets. I like helping people. I helped in art and computing before.

‘Sometimes, its difficult teaching someone who is a prisoner, the same as you. I am teaching in [the local] college. I have to go there today. I go on my own to [the] college. I am doing Level 1 and Level 2 maths. I have also just completed an alcohol-counselling course.’