Prison education must be carefully addressed, UCU suggests
Date posted: 05 Aug 2009
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) could risk the standards of education services in prisons by agreeing contracts with private sector bidders, the University and College Union (UCU) suggests.
The organisation has written to the LSC warning that a number of further education colleges could be put off bidding for contracts in HMP Pentonville, HMP Belmarsh and HMP Holloway facilities because of a lack of proper investment.
It warns that private sector bidders may have little experience of prison education schemes, which could lead to issues arising in future.
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) could risk the standards of education services in prisons by agreeing contracts with private sector bidders, the University and College Union (UCU) suggests.
The organisation has written to the LSC warning that a number of further education colleges could be put off bidding for contracts in HMP Pentonville, HMP Belmarsh and HMP Holloway facilities because of a lack of proper investment.
It warns that private sector bidders may have little experience of prison education schemes, which could lead to issues arising in future.
Sally Hunt, general secretary of the UCU, commented: "Further education colleges have an excellent record of providing quality provision and meeting the needs of service users.
"They are a much better choice than private sector bidders, especially those who have been unsuccessful with bids in the past and lack experience."
UCU recently warned universities to be careful before they enter contracts with private firms, to avoid potential losses.
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