Michael Gove putting education, literacy and earned release at the heart of prison policy

Michael Gove is rightly putting literacy at the heart of his prison policy. He gives a big speech today and mor on this will follow but the principles are clear, and not far off what I proposed in my book, Doing Time. 
Prisoners could be allowed out of jail early if they sign up to English and maths courses behind bars, Michael Gove will say today. In his first speech on prison policy since becoming Justice Secretary, he will throw open the prospect of ‘earned release’ for those inmates who knuckle down to gain educational qualifications.
Fuller details here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3164648/Get-jail-early-taking-lessons-Gove-s-reward-inmates-attend-classes-English-maths.html

Hehxam Book Festival starts in a few days but some tickets still available

The festival starts very soon on the 24th April but some events to see, hear and meet some amazing writers are still available - all details on the website: http://www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk/

At the same time it is worth pointing out that various people are doing a series on the greatest novels of all time. Surely "Literature" is the book that the reader wants, and most importantly reads. There is no greatest ever novel - just the book that you or your child considers a classic.
But ...  I attach below one greatest ever list of the 20 British and Irish novels. Many would agree that Great Expectations, and Middlemarch should be on such a list but good also to see The New Confessions, Wolf Hall, and even Jilly Cooper's Riders! A book is great if it makes you or your child read! And if you want to give someone a present this Easter - give a book! Preferably from our two wonderful local independent bookshops in Hexham and Corbridge
The full list is below but try and go along and support your local book festival:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10629373/20-best-British-novels-of-all-time.html

Westminster this week

The Mandela tribute takes place tomorrow in the Commons at 2.30 - I shall be there.
Prison Reform and Literacy then dominate my week in Westminster: Monday sees an event with the Prisoner Learning Alliance (PLA) to launch its first year findings in Parliament. Given the rapid change within prisons and through-the-gate services under the Offender Rehabilitation Bill it is crucial to ensure that the role of learning is championed to reduce reoffending rates. It will be an opportunity to discuss the PLA’s first report ‘Smart Rehabilitation: learning how to get better outcomes’, with the keynote speech from Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons. I have written and spoken on this issue a lot – notably in my book, Doing Time.


Tuesday there is Treasury Questions, and a chance to debate Ed Balls proposals to borrow even more, and tax people more, followed by the debate on the National Insurance Contributions Bill, which helps businesses.

Wednesday is Prime Ministers Questions and in the afternoon I will be attending and then speaking very briefly at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Literacy, who are publishing the final report from the Youth Literacy and Employability Commission. Most of Wednesday I will be involved in Home office business debates in Westminster Hall at 9.30, and then in committee at 1.30 on the Private Members Bill – the Citizenship (Armed Forces) Bill of my colleague Jonathan Lord.

Details of the Bill’s passage through the House of Commons can be found here:
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/citizenshiparmedforces.html