Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK has highlighted the importance of education in rehabilitating prisoners and reducing the social and economic cost of crime in the Isle of Man.

Evidence suggests that helping prisoners to improve their literacy and numeracy skills boosts their employment prospects, ensures they are better prepared to return to the community and makes them less likely to reoffend.

Work is taking place within the Prison and Probation Service as part of efforts to modernise the criminal justice system and enhance key policy areas in respect of crime prevention, sentencing and the rehabilitation of offenders.

Offenders are assessed within two weeks of entering the Isle of Man Prison to find out more about their education needs and to highlight suitable opportunities for personal development.

Despite cuts in the prison education budget, a consistently high percentage of prisoners (45 to 50%) are engaging in lessons to improve their English, maths and computer skills, as well as in sessions on personal and social education, cookery, art and craft.

Prisoners can study towards nationally recognised qualifications in a number of subjects and the cohort of Island students sitting exams each year often includes a small number of inmates at Jurby. Two prisoners achieved grade As in IGCSE English last year and up to six are expected to take IGCSEs in November.

In addition to classroom learning, the prison also provides a range of constructive activities, including jobs in the kitchen, laundry or gardens. This instils purpose and structure to a prisoner’s day and helps to maintain discipline and safety. There is also the potential for offenders to learn vocational skills that help them on their release from prison.

Minister Watterson said: ‘Improving prisoners’ basic education and practical skills makes a positive difference to their ability to settle back into the community on their release from prison. Statistics show that a high number of prisoners have a poor education or experience learning difficulties such as dyslexia. This is not an excuse for breaking the law, but it is a contributing factor and something we are seeking to address during their time in prison.’

He added: ‘It is essential that offenders are appropriately dealt with for their crimes, but keeping them locked up all day is not usually the answer. Encouraging prisoners to improve their skills so they can get a job and contribute to society is a proven way of turning their lives around.’

In the United Kingdom, Justice Secretary Michael Gove MP recently raised the idea of ‘earned release’ for prisoners who work hard to acquire educational qualifications. This concept has been established in the Isle of Man for some time now, with a ministerial policy setting out the minimum behaviour standards required for prisoners to be considered for release by the parole committee.

Minister Watterson said: ‘We see education and resettlement as vital elements of our efforts to break the offending cycle. A reduction in crime means fewer victims and safer communities.’