Basic Skills Programmes in the Probation Service: An Evaluation of the Basic Skills Pathfinder

• NCJ Number: 205608
• Author(s): Grainne McMahon; Andy Hall; Geoff Hayward; Caroline Hudson; Colin Roberts
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 4 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Great Britain Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Home Office Findings, #203

Annotation

This report describes the methodology and presents the findings from an evaluation of Great Britain's basic skills programs, which were established to help offenders under supervision in the community to improve their skills in literacy and numbers.

Abstract

The offenders targeted for the programs had basic skills below Level 1 of the National Qualifications Framework (below the level of a competent 11-year-old). The project consisted of three stages: screening to identify those with basic skills needs; an in-depth assessment; and provision of basic skills tuition. The evaluation focused on basic skills programs in seven probation service areas. It made a baseline estimate of the prevalence of basic skills needs among offenders and investigated the association between basic skills needs and other variables such as employment status, alcohol and drug abuse, school attendance, and risk of reconviction. Progress from baseline was measured in terms of improvements in basic skills, gaining and maintaining employment, and participation in further education and training. The evaluation also examined attrition and attendance rates and identified good practice in the implementation of basic skills provision within community supervision. The evaluation found that offenders who were "positively" screened were more likely to be unemployed than those who were "negatively" screened. Even when controlling for the effects of other variables, such as drug abuse, which may affect unemployment, the analysis showed strong evidence of an association between poor basic skills and an increased risk of being unemployed. The project had a high level of attrition at each stage of programming. Only a small proportion of the offenders who should have had access to basic-skills training received it, and of those who participated, attendance was often intermittent; and drop-out rates were high. The evaluation recommends that those found to have basic skills needs through screening should have rapid referral for in-depth assessment; this was most likely to motivate the offender to become involved in the program. Another recommendation is that tuition for basic-skills training should be integrated with other elements of a community sentence and be included as an objective in the supervision plan and sentence. 1 table and 4 references