Education cuts in prisons ultimately endanger the public, watchdog says

A report by the prison inspectorate for England and Wales found that 94 of 104 closed prisons inspected before the cuts came into effect this month were rated ‘poor’ or ‘not sufficiently good’ for purposeful activity. Photograph: Andrew Aitchison/In Pictures/Getty Images

Cuts to education in prisons are derailing offenders’ work and training and ultimately endangering the public, the prisons watchdog has warned.

Repeat offenders “cause mayhem” in their communities because of the failure of prisons to provide education, training and work that could help to break the cycle of offending, the chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, said.