Ron Cox - AEVET Branch, Offender Interventions Services

1. QCAL 2009 Annual State Conference6 November 2009[Literacy & Numeracy in the Correctional Environment]Ron Cox Ron Cox - AEVET Branch, Offender Interventions Services

2. History • The Kennedy Report - 1988 • Byrne Review -1990 Review of Prisoner Education in Queensland • Working Party – DETIR & QCSC – 1992 • Commencement VET, Literacy Numeracy -1995 • ABS National Literacy Survey – 1996 • Griffith University research – Jean Searle and Chris Schluter

3. Disadvantage • Inability to access education • 1999 VET Review 15.4% Had not completed primary school 10.0% completed year 8 52.8% completed either year 9 or year 10 19.3% completed either year 11 or 12 2.2% had undertaken tertiary study • November 2009 2.4% Had not completed primary school 9.25% completed year 8 53.94% completed either year 9 or year 10 22.27% completed either year 11 or 12 3.51% had undertaken tertiary study

4. Disadvantage (cont.) • Not a lot of change since 1999 • Educational background of prisoners entering Queensland correctional centres similiar to that of 10 years ago, with improvement

5. Background • Component of VET delivery • Role to Play – Management and Rehabilitation & Reintegration of Prisoners Skills to: 1. Undertake further Education, VET 2. Undertake intervention programs 3. Participate/function in the community – post-release

6. QCS Procedures Literacy/numeracy • Screening – All sentenced prisoners • Assessment – Sentence length 12 months + • Screen – 30729QLD • Assessment – 39170QLD (VLA) 39171QLD (VNA) Employment/VET • EVNA

7. Delivery Process • Partnership – QCS and DET (since 1995) • Consultation with Centres/stakeholders • VET – Training Packages • Literacy – From Queensland accredited curriculum • Public & private providers • Hours allocated – Prisoner type

8. Literacy Hours 2009/10Total hours - 16600

9. Literacy and Numeracy Curriculum

10. Literacy/numeracy Outcomes – 2008/09 • Number of participants - 1686 • AHC generated – 196 835 • Enrolments – Correctional centres (Table)

11. Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) Prisoner enrolments* in Literacy/Numeracy - 2008-09 Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) Prisoner enrolments* in Literacy/Numeracy - 2008-09

12. Program Locations

13. Review of VET, Literacy/numeracy • Conducted in 1999 • Demonstrate effectiveness of program • Sample – 14% of 1998 population • Benefit to Prisoners: a positive learning experience satisfaction with completion of a program improvement of self esteem encouragement – further studies

14. How VET, Literacy/numeracy helps • Continue with education and training • use computer skills at home • Administer first aid if necessary • Write letters and keep in touch by writing • Now read books, papers and magazines • Help children with homework • Shop more effectively

15. Insert L Glen Delivery Schedule

17. Evidence – Program Effect • NCVER Research – Victor Callan Recidivism rates – VET participation VET participation – 23% Non participation – 32% • 2006 Evaluation Report– Victor Callan Participants Advance2Work– 6.9% Participants VET – 6.9% Participants VET + Advance2Work – 13.8%

18. Summary • Positive influence on behaviour • Undertake programs and VET • The challenge – to build on the momentum and achievements, to ensure that offenders acquire skills and attitudes for learning. • Gaining skills to participate effectively not only in the education and training system but also in the community when released from custody. • The vehicle for the journey

19. Questions?