How HMP Ranby turns custody into careers through education

The challenge: teaching a transient population with restricted internet

At HMP Ranby, a medium-security male prison in Retford, Nottinghamshire, the prison’s use of qualifications is turning custody into careers’ opportunities focusing on rehabilitation and skills development. Kate Gibson is the Education Manager at Ranby Prison, employed by PeoplePlus who work with 22 prisons across the East Midlands and East of England, and the prison accommodates over 1100 prisoners.

Despite the successes, Kate acknowledges the challenges of providing education in a prison setting. In prison, the curriculum isn’t static; it has to change based on the needs of learners and the demands of the prison environment. This flexibility is critical in a setting where the population is transient, and where individuals’ circumstances can change with little notice.

The solution: a flexible accredited offer, and a virtual campus built for custody

During her leadership, the prison has expanded its educational offering. She said: “We provide a breadth of courses, from basic literacy and numeracy to vocational training and employability courses, as well as personal development opportunities, and we support higher education too. Every day, approximately 300 learners attend classes, 150 attend morning and afternoon sessions.” Each prisoner’s journey starts with an induction session where they learn about the opportunities available to them and how this can be tailored to meet their long term aims and aspirations. Prison learners can choose from subjects ranging from digital skills, horticulture, catering, construction, and lots more.

The successful implementation of the learning and accredited offer at Ranby Prison is closely supported by the work with Gateway Qualifications, known nationally for its flexible approach to education. Gateway Qualifications enables a range of accredited qualifications to be delivered at HMP Ranby, from vocational training to personal development programmes.

However, Ranby is pioneering solutions to meet these challenges.

The results: skills, qualifications and, for some, work after release

The impact of education in prison is important. Anecdotal evidence suggests significant behavioural changes and reduced recidivism among participants, highlighting education’s role in reducing the cycle of reoffending.