Received from: UCU
Congress condemns:
i. the endemic low pay, poor career development, and poor health and safety facing prison educators
ii. the failure of the Ministry of Justice to recognise the appropriate trade unions for collective bargaining or to consult with prison educators in developing the new Prisoner Education Service.
Congress believes the current and proposed prison education contracts are fundamentally flawed.
Congress applauds the professionalism and commitment of all prison educators and especially those who have taken strike action to win improvements in pay and conditions.
Congress recognises the challenges facing Black prison educators as a minority (largely absent from leadership roles) educating disproportionately high levels of Black male prisoners within the prison population.
Congress calls on the General Council to pressure the new Labour government to:
a. return prison education to the public sector
b. develop a decolonised curriculum that speaks to and engages with the majority of prisoners
c. undertake a comprehensive review of the management of the prison education system
d. develop a national contract or prison educators including the application of the Fair Deal on Pensions
e. commit to develop promotion and career opportunities for Black prison educators
f. work with trade unions to improve outcomes and tackle discrimination.
University College Union