Jail illiteracy 'shocking'

ALMOST 60 per cent of inmates attending prison learning centres in Scotland last year were illiterate, alarming new figures have revealed.

Figures obtained in response to a parliamentary question showed that, in 2009/10, 57 per cent of prisoners in Scotland were "lacking functional literacy" - below Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) intermediate level one.

Fifty-two per cent were also "lacking functional numeracy" during that period.

Richard Baker, justice spokesman for Scottish Labour, called for prisoners with reading and numeracy problems to be given remedial help inside jail.

He said: "These figures are truly shocking and highlight just how important tackling illiteracy is. If we cut illiteracy, then we can cut crime too. We must stop prisoners spending their days sitting idly in their cells and get them into the workroom and the classroom."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The Literacy Action Plan published in October includes a range of actions from early years through to employment, aimed at eradicating poor literacy across the country.