Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Answer of 19 October 2023 to Question 202800 on Prisons: Education, how many and what proportion of prison education classes in HMP Ranby did not go ahead due to a lack of (a) teachers and (b) prison officers in the last two quarters.

The information collected on performance against the education contract does not include the number of classes cancelled. The table below shows the number and proportion of planned learner places lost in each of the first two quarters of 2023-24 at HMP Five Wells, HMP Garth, HMP Bristol, HMP Pentonville and HMP Ranby owing to a lack of teachers (Ed), or for operational reasons (Op). Operational reasons include, but are not limited to, staffing shortages.

Our improved Prisoner Education Service with specialist staff, tougher targets and increased focus on employment will be more effective at cutting crime and keeping the public safe. We have created a new Head of Education Skills and Work roles in every prison, working hand in glove with the Governor to provide tailored education plans to meet the needs of their jail.