Requirements for prison education and library services
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has published a Policy Framework that details the minimum mandatory requirements that governors and prison staff must adhere to in the provision of education and library services in adult prisons in England.
We are pleased to see that the framework recognises a prison library must:
promote reading as a source of pleasure and provide prisoners with opportunities for wider cultural engagement.”
Clinks and the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance responded to a closed consultation which informed the framework. Our response welcomed the ambition in the framework for the purpose of education in prisons to unlock potential, build social capital and improve wellbeing of people, rather than just be focused on employability and skills.
This Policy Framework replaces the previous Prison Service Instruction, and is part of a programme of work by the MoJ to rationalise the complex system of internal prison policies.
Read the Policy Framework here
Image credit: Johannes Jansson [CC BY 2.5]
