QCAL 2009 Annual State Conference 6 November 2009[Literacy & Numeracy in the Correctional Environment]Ron CoxRon Cox - AEVET Branch, Offender Interventions Services

History

The Kennedy Report - 1988

Byrne Review -1990Review 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

Disadvantage

Inability to access education

1999 VET Review15.4% Had not completed primary school10.0% completed year 852.8% completed either year 9 or year 1019.3% completed either year 11 or 122.2% had undertaken tertiary study

November 20092.4% Had not completed primary school9.25% completed year 853.94% completed either year 9 or year 1022.27% completed either year 11 or 123.51% had undertaken tertiary study

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

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

QCS Procedures

Literacy/numeracy Screening – All sentenced prisoners

Assessment – Sentence length 12 months +

Screen – 30729QLD

Assessment –

39170QLD (VLA)

39171QLD (VNA)

Employment/VET EVNA

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

Literacy Hours 2009/10

Total hours - 16600Arthur Gorrie 1400 hrs.

Borallon 1100 hrs.

Brisbane 600 hrs.

Brisbane Womens 1450 hrs.

Capricornia 1280 hrs.

Lotus Glen 1700 hrs.

Maryborough 1600 hrs.

Numinbah 630 hrs.

Palen Creek 1100 hrs.

Townsville Mens 1100 hrs.

Townsville Womens 600 hrs.

Wolston 2000 hrs.

Woodford 2300 hrs.

Literacy and Numeracy Curriculum

Literacy/numeracy Outcomes – 2008/09

Number of participants - 1686

AHC generated – 196 835

Enrolments – Correctional centres (Table)

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

Program Locations

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

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

Insert L Glen Delivery Schedule

Evidence – Program Effect

• NCVER Research – Victor CallanRecidivism rates – VET participationVET participation – 23%Non participation – 32%

• 2006 Evaluation Report– Victor CallanParticipants Advance2Work– 6.9%Participants VET – 6.9%Participants VET + Advance2Work – 13.8%

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

Questions?