A new prison education scheme for the country’s criminals is being set up by the Government – and paid for by the taxpayer.
Criminal masterminds will be able to avail of university courses and some will even be able to go on to do PhDs allowing them to put “Dr” ahead of their name.
As well as having criminal records those who successfully complete their degrees will also have letters after their name.
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Justice Minister Simon Harris confirmed the establishment of a new Prison Education Taskforce at the weekend.
The taskforce, which will be co-chaired by the Departments of Further and Higher Education and Justice, will meet for the first time in Mountjoy Prison on Wednesday after Government approval of the initiative last week.
Mr Harris, also Minister for Further and Higher Education, confirmed that provision will also be made to give educational opportunities to the relatives of prisoners and ex-prisoners to ensure they steer clear of crime.
He said: “This is a really exciting taskforce and its purpose is really simple – how do we stop prisoners from reoffending when they leave prison?
“We believe the key to that is access to education. As part of this work, prisoners will have an ability to access education within the four walls of a prison and leave with a qualification that can open doors for them when they leave prison.
“For example, the apprenticeship programmes will be key. We will start with a culinary apprenticeship in our prisons. Apprentices can work in the prison, secure their qualification in prison and access a job when they leave in any kitchen across the country. We also want to do the same with our painting and decorating courses. This works for the Prison Service and for the prisoners.
“This is all about ensuring prisoners can access education and hopefully access employment or further education on release. This will reduce the risk of reoffending.” In a statement yesterday the minister’s department said that over the course of 2022, 11 prisoners sat their Junior Cert.
Another 64 sat their Leaving Cert, and 1,402 received QQI Qualifications, including 105 university courses and five postgraduate studies.
The new taskforce will establish two pilot training programmes, including a catering apprenticeship and a programme in retrofit to be delivered within the prisons;
It will also support prisoners who may have already commenced apprenticeships prior to being jailed allowing them to continue with their apprenticeships.
There are also plans to expand university degree programmes within prisons and examine the roll out of PhD courses for prisoners.
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