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Education Update (22.09.21)
Progression through the EDM stages has enabled the recommencement of face to face Prison Education supported by a blended in cell delivery model. To enable the delivery of Education, mixed cohorts are permissible in classrooms where mixing can be managed at EDM stages 3, 2 and 1. Restrictions to mixing and regime planning should be proportionate to the risk at the establishment and should not universally disadvantage prisoners from attending education. In making plans for mixing at stages 3,2 or 1 prisons need to get the right balance between safety and sufficiency of regime and introduce measures to manage mixing, alongside classroom capacity to ensure that the risk of wasted regimes spaces is mitigated. Prisons need to only reduce mixing where a clear risk exists and this is supported by local risk assessment, where such a risk exists sufficient alternative access to all activities, without disadvantaging individuals or groups should be enabled.
Provision of Books – Approved Retailers Scheme
Prisons are reminded that there is a specifically Approved Retailers’ Scheme which may be a helpful source of support to prisoners during regime restrictions arising from COVID-19.
Under the scheme, it is possible for families and friends of prisoners to order books for direct delivery to prisons through the Approved Retailers’ Scheme. The scheme includes CD and audio cassette books.
The Approved Retailers are:
Blackwells- https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/home
Foyles- https://foyles.co.uk/
Waterstones- https://www.waterstones.com/
W H Smith- https://www.whsmith.co.uk/
Wordery- https://wordery.com/
Mr B’s Emporium- https://mrbsemporium.com/
Incentive Plus- https://incentiveplus.co.uk/
Housmans- https://housmans.com/
Prisons.org.uk- https://prisons.org.uk/