Written answers
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Prison Education Service
11:00 pm
Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners with limited educational accomplishment in each of the years 2002 to date in 2007. [13196/07]
Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Information relating to those prisoners with the lowest levels of educational accomplishment on committal in each of the years 2002 to date in 2007 are set out in the table below. These figures are based on prisoners' self report information which is recorded in relation to each prisoner on their committal. Following on from this each student coming into the Prison Education Centre will have an individual interview to assess his/her educational needs and interests. Those with literacy difficulties are prioritised and slotted into class almost immediately. Given the stigma often attached to literacy problems and low levels of educational attainment, it is not possible to state definitively the level of literacy in the prison population as many prisoners are unwilling to come forward and share such information. Every effort is made to publicise education and literacy classes and encourage as many prisoners as possible to avail of them.
Education Level | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
Illiterate | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Primary Level | 18 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
Secondary Level (no certificate) | 15 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 20 |
Total percentage* | 36 | 39 | 45 | 47 | 43 | 41 |
*Figures based on non-repeat committal information in each year. |
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