Education is key to rehabilitating prisoners

24 January each year marks the United Nations’ International Day of Education. It’s a day which highlights the importance of education, which is a human right and a public responsibility.

Despite education being recognised as a human right for everyone, it has often remained elusive for prisoners. Over the past few years, the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons has painted a bleak picture of the current state of prisons and has raised serious concerns about the lack of education available, which can have negative effects on prisoners’ rehabilitation and opportunities once they’ve left prison.

While it’s so important for education to be available and prioritised as part of prisoners’ rehabilitation plans, it’s also no secret that the pressure the justice system is under at the moment is immense, with issues of overcrowding and recruitment and retention being at the forefront to resolve. But while the new government tries to grapple with getting many of these issues under control, things like access to education and training can easily fall by the wayside.

This makes the support of external organisations even more crucial when it comes to education for prisoners. Organisations like prison education provider PeoplePlus and prison restaurant charity The Clink Charity do incredible work to offer unique education and training opportunities for incarcerated people across the UK.

Not only is the work of these organisations do so important, but it’s also incredible the impact individuals within these organisations can have. Matthew Bysouth, carpentry teacher from PeoplePlus, and Jonny Laight, chef trainer and assessor at The Clink Charity, were the two Educator of the Year finalists at the 2024 Inspire Justice Awards, both of whom were nominated for their remarkable work supporting prisoners to learn new skills.

The expert panel of judges were impressed by chef Jonny’s achievements, and they voted him runner up in the Educator of the Year category at the awards. Jonny delivered 9,400 hours of valuable cookery training for prisoners throughout 2023. Of the 11 individuals Jonny has worked with, who have since been released, three are now back in work with the others actively seeking employment.

As a carpentry teacher in prisons, Matthew also impressed the judges and was named the overall winner in the Educator category. He was nominated for his dedication and meticulous lesson planning and delivery, and learners were said to be grateful for the impact he’d had on their lives.

“He is such a calm and good-humoured tutor, he has a lot of patience to demonstrate his own skills, and I have learnt so much from him, I will leave HMP Littlehey knowing that I have the carpentry skills to use confidently and hopefully find a job where I can use them,” said one.

“Matt uses real life scenarios as to when and how you make, and how you make and build, certain pieces. You always feel challenged, and you don’t feel rushed, we have the time to practice, and Matt offers supportive guidance in doing so. He instils in us the importance of a tidy workshop, and everyone works hard to make sure that it is, I have loved this course,” said another.

These two finalists are a clear example of the impact individuals can have when they are willing to dedicate their time to sharing their skills and expertise with people in prison. Jonny and Matthew’s impact goes far beyond their lessons. Education in prisons offers opportunities into skilled career paths and provides hope and aspirations for a better future for those incarcerated.

Thanks to organisations like PeoplePlus and The Clink Charity, education is still available for many in prisons today who, due to the pressure the justice system is facing, might otherwise be going without it.