National Vocations Qualifications (NVQs) in Prisons: A Reflection of Effort and Achievement or the Perpetuation of Existing Patterns of Discrimination?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the extent to which gender or racial stereotypes are used to categorise or stigmatise inmates in the allocation of work, training and education in prisons. In setting out the impact of recent legislative reforms, the article begins by outlining the effects of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 and the changes resulting from the introduction of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) to the prison regime. The requirement, for the purposes of Sentence Planning, of documentary evidence of an inmate's education and training profile will be seen to have far reaching effects at all stages through a prisoner's sentence; and beyond, for the many prisoners who will be subject to a period of compulsory supervision after release. Yet, it will also be shown that the system operates to allow highly discriminatory decisions to be taken without proper accountability. The effectiveness and implementation of the Prison Department's equal opportunities policy will be considered. The article will conclude by recommending further research that specifically focuses on the allocation of opportunities for education and training for prisoners.