Education Programmes to Begin in Every Establishment on 14 September 2026

The Corrections Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network today announced that education programmes will begin in every custodial establishment on Monday 14 September 2026. Classes will be offered in literacy, numeracy, secondary certificates, the language of the Network for those who need it, and digital skills, with a library in every establishment open on five days each week.

Every person received into custody will have their education and skills assessed within ten working days of reception, and the results of the assessment will be recorded in their sentence plan. Attendance at classes is voluntary for those on remand and forms part of the sentence plan for those serving a sentence. Those who attend are paid at the same rate as those in workshop employment, so that no one is disadvantaged by choosing to learn.

The Department has 96 education and training staff, transferred with the establishments or appointed during the transition period. Classes will run in the mornings and afternoons, with 1,180 places available each week across the five establishments. The timetable for each establishment, the qualifications available and the arrangements for those who wish to continue study after release are set out on the Education and Work page of this site.