Staff shortage causes prisoners to choose between hygiene or education

Access to prison libraries is being comprised because of staff shortages, according to experts.

The Guardian reported that some prisoners were forced to choose between books and a phone call, or a shower.

The staff shortage and lack of access to libraries is impacting the education and rehabilitation of prisoners. The government’s plans to reduce the number of reoffenders will not go ahead without proper teaching, according to charities.

Nina Champion is the Head of Policy at the Prisoners’ Education Trust. She commented: “People say they have prisoners come to their classes and saying: ‘I’m sorry if I smell because I didn’t have a shower because I decided to come to your class.’ In a sense they are being denied access if they have to make that choice.”