Prison lecturers could face job losses

Scotland’s largest teaching union has warned that the potential removal of college lecturers who teach in prisons could threaten jobs and undermine prisoners’ rehabilitation.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS)-FELA (Further Education Lecturers’ Association) said plans emerging from Fife College may result in lecturing staff redundancies as posts transfer to Fife from New College Lanarkshire.

New College Lanarkshire provides teaching to seven prisons including Barlinne, Cornton Vale and Dumfries.

Prison lecturers are concerned their employment rights under TUPE legislation – regulations protecting employment rights when a business is transferred to a new employer – will be disregarded by Fife College management.

Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, said: “This is a distressing time for all staff affected by these proposals.

“Staff want to know that their jobs are secure and that they can continue to deliver a high-quality education to their students in prisons.

“The right to education is a fundamental human right and is important in the rehabilitation of prisoners.”