Hancock reads riot act over prisoner literacy

THOUSANDS of prisoners suffering from learning difficulties are not getting help with basic English, Matt Hancock has warned.

Figures uncovered by the former health secretary show 17,680 prisoners took fundamental skills courses in 2019-20.

But when the pandemic hit, the number plummeted to only 3,697 in 2020-21. And recovery is still a long way off, with just 8,397 getting help last year.

This is despite 14,833 prisoners being identified as likely having learning difficulties and disabilities.

Mr Hancock, who is leading a campaign for dyslexia screening in primary schools, said prisoners were

“literally a captive audience for learning” and warned that “far, far too many who could be brought out of a life of crime aren’t because of the failure to address literacy”.

He said: “First, there needs to be more support for teaching in cells... Second, literacy needs to be part of

a governor’s objectives. Until now, responsibility for teaching and learning has been part of the Department for Education, not the governor’s responsibility and that needs to change.

“Third, prisoners need more time to be able to go to the library and learn.” All prisons are required to have a library but prisoners can have as little as 30 minutes access a week.

Mr Hancock, 44, whose own dyslexia was identified at university, stressed the need for governors to see improving literacy as a priority.

The MP for West Suffolk said: “Governors focus on what they’re assessed on...but not on whether prisoners leaving their prisons can read and write.this can’t continue.”

But Justice minister Damian Hinds said: “All prisons also offer literacy education as part of their core curriculum.”

“Prisons provide a range of support according to the needs of the individual and our education providers are required to put in place provision for prisoners with additional learning needs such as dyslexia.”