The partnership's aim and objectives 12 From April 2001 we will establish a new strategic partnership between DfEE and the Prison Service. The partnership, supported by a Prisoners Learning and Skills Unit, will play the lead role in working with all key agencies. In particular, it will forge strong links with the Youth Justice Board to promote coherence in education and training policies developed for adult prisoners and those aged under 18. It will also develop strong links with the National Probation Service, recognising the relevance of education and training to their statutory aims of reducing re-offending and supporting the rehabilitation of offenders. 13 The aim of the partnership will be to ensure that prisoners, wherever they are, and irrespective of their personal status, have access to education and training in prison and on release, to gain the skills, qualifications and personal attributes needed to hold down a job and to resettle in the community – and so help break the persistent cycle of re-offending. 14 This statement represents the first step in setting out our plans for deliberate and sustained action over the period, so that by the end of 2005 we expect to have made significant and measurable progress towards achieving our aim. In some areas we can expect to achieve rapid improvement, in others it will take longer. But over this time all prisons and agencies with a part to play in resettlement, including those performing least effectively now, must have made significant progress towards meeting our aims. 15 The partnership’s key objectives will include making sure we get right: building capacity; assessment of learning needs; curriculum and qualifications; incentives to participate in learning; resettlement; inspection and quality standards.

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