UCU: Prison education

Motion

Motion text: Conference congratulates members in prison education who have come through the last two rounds of retendering better organised by recruiting more members and local representatives.
Conference welcomes the Government's recognition that Prison education has a key role to play as part of their policy to reduce reoffending but deplores the strategy of retendering and contracting out leading to the involvement of private contractors in a large number of prisons.
Conference further notes that as a result of these changes there is no longer any forum where UCU can participate and contribute to policy initiatives affecting Prison education members.
Conference therefore calls on UCU to campaign for a National Forum involving the Union, providers, Government representatives and the LSC to ensure there is proper consultation on all matters affecting prison education. Such a forum should be able to make recommendations to the appropriate authorities and not just be a talking shop.