Jim Higgins
Question:80 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if records are kept of the educational levels and attainments of prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Vol. 417 No. 5
80 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if records are kept of the educational levels and attainments of prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Participation by prisoners in education is voluntary and quite a large number of prisoners do not participate. Consequently, information in relation to the overall education levels and attainments of prisoners is not available.
Education in prison is provided principally by the Vocational Education Committees with other education agencies such as the Open University, the University of Limerick and regional technical colleges also participating. The courses provided range from basic literacy and numeracy to third level education. At present the Department of Education provides 130 full-time teacher equivalents to work in prisoners and places of detention and prisoners who wish to participate in an education are accommodated irrespective of their ability or attainments.