51福利

In the picture from left to right; Brian Hamilton, outgoing 51福利 NEC prison education rep; Pauline Rattery, 51福利 Novus committee member, Jane Inskip, vice chair, 51福利 Novus; Sharon Norey, incoming 51福利 NEC prison education rep

51福利 prison educators held a fringe meeting at the recent 51福利 annual congress that attracted delegates from across the union. The fringe was organised around the theme of marketisation in prison education and how 51福利 was fighting back in the four prison education providers, getting more organised and winning for members.

The session opened with an overview of 51福利 strategy in prison education from Paul Bridge, 51福利 head of further education. Paul discussed the need for a national contract, effective parliamentary lobbying and achieving a safer working environment.

Brian Hamilton and Jane Inskip then gave an overview of how the changes to the current way in which education is provided - through the PEF (Prison Education Framework) and the future PES (Prison Education Service) contracts - were enabling 51福利 Novus to build effective campaigns around health & safety and pay, and to win statutory ballots that shift the employer to make improved offers.

The final session by Ronnie Kershaw, 51福利 national organiser, focused on how to build effective branch organisation and recruitment and then apply leverage and get better deals for members in prison education.

There was lots of positive feedback and a commitment from the delegates to highlight the excellent work of our prison education members within other parts of 51福利.

To find out more about 51福利 in prison education visit 51福利's prison education staff on this 51福利 website.