TOE BY TOE READING PLAN Helping prisoners learn to read

What is the Toe by Toe Reading Plan? A peer led programme that supports prisoners who can read to teach prisoners with poor reading skills to read, using the Toe by Toe reading manual.

Is literacy a problem in UK prisons? Forty percent of prisoners have a reading age of less than that expected of an eight year old; Over ninety percent of all employment is excluded to people who have very poor reading skills; Ex-offenders are three times more likely to be unemployed if they cannot read; Ex-offenders are three times more likely to re-offend if they are unemployed.

Toe by Toe Reading Plan “the single best thing introduced into prisons in the last ten years.” Stephen Shaw Prisons and Probation Ombudsman October 2007

Toe by Toe Can Changes Lives “The changes I see in guys is overwhelming. I see smiles. I see shyness disappear. I see withdrawn men change to confident men. I would like to say thank you for all the lives this is changing, including mine”. Prison officer HMP Bullingdon

How does the reading plan work? Using the Toe by Toe manual: Learning takes place five times a week; Learning lasts no more than 20 minutes per session; Learning is one-to-one; Learning takes place in a suitable location.

How does it help the learners? Peer learning - effective at engaging disaffected learners; Learners own the programme & go at their own pace; Major improvement in self-esteem & behaviour; Learners enter education / training for the first time; Access to treatment groups; Improved relationships – family, staff & other prisoners, less bullying, prisoners coming off drugs.

‘I started just for something to do. I didn’t want to vegetate in here.’ This mentor at HMP Lewes went on to receive an award for teaching 96 prisoners to read.

How Does it Help the Mentors Increased self-esteem and confidence from being in a trusted role; Stimulates interest in further learning, particularly mentoring and education; Develops communication skills, understanding the needs of others & improved relationships with staff; Promotes normalisation – independence, decision making, achievement & personal choice to volunteer.

Helping prisoners learn to read