Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to Prison education: a review of reading education in prisons published by Ofsted on 22 March 2022, what steps his Department has taken to prioritise reading education in prisons.

We have made clear that improving prisoners’ literacy and numeracy skills will increase their ability to get jobs when they are released, which, in turn, will cut crime and make our streets safer.

Since the review conducted by OFSTED and HMI Prisons in 2022, we have piloted and launched a reading assessment tool and developed a national reading strategy which is available in all prisons. We have also supported staff delivering this vital work by developing curriculum plans that meet the needs of learners. Teaching staff now have access to appropriate Continuous Professional Development (CPD) around teaching reading, and libraries have resources to allow reading for pleasure. We have also provided training to governing governors on OFSTED expectations to ensure the appropriate literacy curriculum is in place.

In addition, we have expanded the provision of the Shannon Trust who are involved in teaching and supporting prisoners to read, ensuring reading is a part of the regular needs assessment.