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Prisoners: Basic Skills

Volume 494: debated on Monday 15 June 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated (a) numeracy and (b) literacy rate was among prisoners in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. (277259)

The following tables provide a breakdown of the assessed levels of numeracy and literacy rates among prisoners in Northern Ireland in each of the last five financial years and the current financial year up to 31 May.

Numeracy

Financial year

Below entry level

Entry Level 1

Entry level 2

Entry level 3

Level 1 plus above

Total number of assessments

2004-05

110

118

331

475

389

1,423

2005-06

112

131

352

513

378

1,486

2006-07

118

73

273

588

460

1,512

2007-08

118

74

285

581

508

1,566

2008-09

118

96

278

607

514

1,613

1 April 2009-31 May 2009

29

31

95

199

229

583

Literacy

Financial year

Below entry level

Entry Level 1

Entry level 2

Entry level 3

Level 1 plus above

Total number of assessments

2004-05

76

97

236

523

489

1,421

2005-06

90

75

235

590

490

1,480

2006-07

116

49

202

621

520

1,508

2007-08

103

44

200

602

609

1,558

2008-09

102

61

228

614

614

1,619

1 April 2009-31 May 2009

21

26

77

179

274

577