AQO 1324/22-27 Oral question to the Minister of Justice
To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the educational and training provision for prisoners.
Asked by David Honeyford MLA on 6 January 2025
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 6 January 2025
- Answer due by
- 13 January 2025
- Answered
- 13 January 20257 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Justice
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 13 January 2025. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Mrs Long
Rehabilitation is a key priority for the Northern Ireland Prison Service. Individuals committed to its care are offered the opportunity to develop skills and employer-recognised qualifications in order to give them the best chance of securing gainful employment on release, which, evidence shows, is a key factor in the desisting of reoffending. Adopting the further education delivery model, Belfast Metropolitan College and North West Regional College deliver accredited training in all prison establishments, offering entry level 3 to level 3 in educational, vocational and employability skills. That includes essential skills training in literacy, numeracy and information computer technology; construction skills such as bricklaying, joinery and tiling; hospitality skills such as barista training, catering and food hygiene; and training in sectors such as barbering, hair and beauty.
Soft skills in interview techniques and CV writing are also offered as part of the range of employability skills programmes. Furthermore, higher education is accessible for prisoners in Northern Ireland through the Open University.
Mr Speaker
We now move to topical questions.