IMPLICATIONS The high levels of unemployment affecting people in many States make it difficult to find enough employment for prisoners. Education in prisons therefore becomes even more important. Many men and women in prison are poorly educated. Many are illiterate. Their time in prison can be used to teach them to read and write and to become involved in cultural activities. Such training can serve to make them more confident in their abilities and more inclined to live in a law-abiding manner after they are released. The international instruments make it clear that prisoners have the right to pursue education if they so wish, within the available resources. In order, at the very least, to prevent mental deterioration and, at best, to improve their level of education and develop their understanding, prisoners should have access to books, classes and cultural activities such as music, drama, art and recreation. Education is also seen as an aid to social reintegration. Links between prison education and education in the general community are to be encouraged. No distinction should be made between women and men as regards the types of education and training activities made available to them. In some countries, comparisons are sometimes made between the level of education available in prisons and that which is available for law-abiding citizens in the community. It is sometimes suggested that the level of education in prisons should not be equivalent to that in the community. This is a sensitive subject. There are many arguments in favour of providing good education for prisoners. They have to be properly explained. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS ■ Providing education alongside other legitimate activities in prison is not easy to organize or manage. Some prisoners will require full-time educational courses during the day. Others may benefit from evening classes at the end of the working day. The needs of others may be met through correspondence courses. ■ Where prisoners choose education rather than work they should not be significantly penalized in terms of their pay, or in other ways. ■ Prisoners often benefit greatly when their teachers are not direct employees of the prison administration but teachers normally working for the local education authorities. ■ As far as possible, education provided in prisons should be integrated with the educational system in the community. This will make it more likely that prisoners will continue with education after they are released from prison. ■ In many countries, industrial work, education, skills training, physical education, recreational exercise and cultural activities are being seen as a balanced programme of prison activities. All need to be provided in some degree in all institutions, but the exact balance may vary from one institution to another depending on the age, abilities and needs of prisoners. 105