It  highlighted the “crucial” role of prison education programmes for the rehabilitation of offenders, especially in contributing to lowering the statistics of repeat offenders re-entering the system.

Prison leaders have been accused of not taking the issue of reading education seriously, amidst severe systemic challenges, staff shortages and poor curriculum design.

However, the arrival of new Prisons Minister, James Timpson, has been highlighted as a sign of hope for investment into the education and development of offenders. But in order to continue providing this vital service that not only aims to reduce the number of reoffenders but also to provide secure and stable employment for those that have been released, it’s important that prisons across the UK have access to fully qualified teachers, coaches, and mentors.

Here Alice shares some insider information on what is required to secure a role within prison education.

What are the key skills needed to succeed in a prison education role?

“First and foremost, if you’re considering a teaching role within a prison, it’s important to have an open mind and to be adaptable,” Alice began.

“The prison education environment is closely based on that of colleges to create a normal education environment for the learners: no two days are the same. Teaching in prisons can be highly challenging – but equally rewarding!”

“Respect, collaboration, patience, and the ability to remain calm and communicate well with others stand out as desirable qualities, along with being flexible, open-minded and non-judgmental.”

What qualifications are required?

“The good thing about prison education is, even if someone has limited experience but demonstrates eagerness to use their knowledge to make a difference, then they will absolutely be considered!

“Unqualified candidates also have the opportunity to gain their qualifications on the job, making this a really accessible career choice for so many people.

“As a minimum, all teachers within offender learning must hold a Level 3 teaching qualification alongside Level 2 Maths and English qualifications, but ideally they should hold a Level 5 Certificate of Education or PGCE.”

Is there a vetting process?

“Similarly to typical education and teaching roles, candidates must undergo a full vetting process, as well as a DBS Check – this is vital, especially in working with young offenders.

“An Enhanced DBS Check is required, with this type of check looking for any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings held on the police database.

“Once through the vetting stage, candidates will go through an onboarding process, where they meet their colleagues and learn more about the company and how it operates within prisons and young offender establishments.

“The first few weeks consist of a shadowing process, with further learning about the role, supported by an existing tutor. As a tutor, you can help prisoners gain the skills they need for employment after release, which provides them with greater financial security and reduces the risk of re-offending.”

What does the average day look like?

“Jobs often entail delivering lesson plans in line with curricula and targets, contributing to individual learning plans to provide extra support where needed, working with other teachers and prison education staff to support learner outcomes, supporting learners in all aspects of achieving their accreditations and qualifications and ensuring the safeguarding of all learners.”

What type of roles are available?

“The types of teaching and education roles really vary. These include teaching functional skills (English, Maths, IT), leading vocational courses such as construction, carpentry, and brickwork, as well as beauty qualifications. Teaching levels range from reading and literacy specialists or subject teachers through to education managers and neurodiversity support managers.

“There are so many options for people to choose from, as well as opportunities to progress their careers further should they wish.”

What other benefits are there?

“There’s a common misconception that there aren’t as many benefits to working in a prison as there are for those working in schools and colleges.

“However, individuals teaching in prisons get some great benefits – for example, some of the prisons we are currently recruiting for offer 12:30pm finishes on a Friday.

“Lesson plans and materials are all provided for the team and so this means there’s no requirement to work out of hours, and no marking to bring home in the evenings, so candidates can expect to enjoy a great work-life balance!

“Ultimately, working within a prison to educate, mentor and support offenders can be an extremely rewarding career for the right candidate, and there are plenty of resources and support available to help individuals secure a role.”