Rights of Offenders

Studying in Prison

All prisons and young offenders institutes must provide educational courses and training for prisoners. This includes basic skills, Key Skills, social and life skills and ICT.

For offenders aged 15 to 17, arrangements can be made for them to do GCSE courses and exams. Offenders can also take advanced level courses.

The Prisoner’s Education Trust gives offenders access to distance learning courses. The Trust says that distance learning is good for prisoners because:

• Course materials can be taken between prisons (if they are transferred)
• Work can be done in cells
• It gives access to learning to prisoners who can’t attend classes in the prison for security reasons

Re-settlement

If you are an ex-offender, you can get help with things like training, finding a job and getting somewhere to live when you come out of prison.

The Connexions service works with an organisation called NACRO, who specialise in helping ex-offenders. NACRO can give all sorts of support, including training, help with finding a job and finding somewhere to live.

See the Useful Contacts section below for more information.

Useful Contacts

NACRO (National Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders)

NACRO works with ex-offenders and deprived communities to provide help with things like housing, employment and crime reduction. Nacro has a Resettlement Plus Helpline, for information and advice to ex-offenders, their families and people working with them: Freephone 0800 0181 259 (for ex-offenders, their family and friends only)
e-mail:helpline@nacro.org.uk

NACRO in the Black Country:
Sandwell: 0121 552 9589
Walsall: 01922 625060
Wolverhampton: 01902 451055

Prisoner’s Education Trust

Provides grants to prisoners for the cost of distance learning materials