A pioneering Skills for Life scheme created by The Network for Workplace Language, Literacy and Numeracy at Lancaster University is set to transform training for prison staff throughout the UK
‘Following the success of a pilot project at Lewes Prison the scheme is being extended to three prisons on the Isle of Wight – Camp Hill, Parkhurst and Albany. After that it is likely to become the blueprint and best practice model for the whole country.
Lewes opened its gates to The Network so that a “whole organisational” approach could be established in the management of the prison. The project targeted governors, managers, trainers, officers, caterers, cleaners and chaplains. The scheme is funded by the South East England Development Agency and is part of the government’s billion-pound nationwide Skills for Life programme.
“Following health and safety regulations such as the risk register for the identification of hazards, the filling-in of incident forms, the writing of reports, and the counting of not only inmates but materials too are now part of day-to-day life for our 350 staff,” said Eoin McLennan-Murray, governor of Lewes Prison. “Improved numeracy, as well as literacy, is important.”
The Network: www.thenetwork.co.uk; tel: 01524 593405.’
