Evaluation of prisoner learning: initial impacts and delivery

The aim of this Ipsos research for the Ministry of Justice was a process and impact evaluation of prisoner education

Ipsos, London Economics and Sheffield Hallam University were commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ)  to undertake a process and impact evaluation of prisoner education. This included the impacts of prisoner education under Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS3 and OLASS4), as well as changes made to the service under OLASS4.

The impact evaluation uses linked administrative data from BIS, MoJ, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to estimate the impact of prisoner learning on post-release re-offending, employment, benefit dependency and learning outcomes amongst OLASS learners.  The process evaluation focuses on the implementation and delivery of prisoner learning under the OLASS4 contract, which started in August 2012.

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