HEADQUARTERS
Calton House
5 Redheughs Rigg
EDINBURGH
EH12 9HW
Our Ref: HQ18076
Dear Mr Finnan
17 July 2018
Thank you for your request dated 19 June 2018 under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
(FOISA) seeking detail concerning:
1. What qualifies as both 'functional literacy levels' and 'functional numeracy levels' in the
standards set by the testing methods which SPS uses to test prisoners.
2. What percentage of prisoners screened lack functional literacy levels?
3. What percentage of prisoners screened lack functional numeracy levels?
We have now completed our search for the information you have requested with the following results:
1.
In respect of ‘Scotland Performs’, the Scottish Prison Service is obliged to provide information
on those individuals considered to be lacking functional literacy/numeracy i.e. those screening at or
below SCQF National 4 (formerly Intermediate 1).
The levels of literacy and numeracy provided in 1 &2 below are not formal ‘tests’ but are based on the
Big Plus screening tool which was designed to identity an indicative literacy and numeracy
competence at levels 2-4 through various spelling, grammar and reading and arithmetic tasks. The
literacy tool also provides opportunities for the learners to express their own views in accordance with
the Scottish definition of what it means to be literate including consideration of broader
communication abilities over and above the functional tasks of decoding or encoding text.
“The ability to read, write and use numeracy, to handle information, to express ideas and
opinions, to make decisions and solve problems, as family members, workers, citizens and
lifelong learners” Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland (ALNIS) Report: 2001.
By 2020 Scotland's society and economy will be stronger because more of its adults are able
to read, write and use numbers effectively in order to handle information, communicate with
others, express ideas and opinions, make decisions and solve problems, as family members,
workers, citizens and lifelong learners.
Adult Literacies in Scotland 2020: Strategic guidance 2011.
Accordingly, while the functions of the Big Plus tools provide an indicative level of an individual’s
literacy or numeracy abilities, they are not diagnostic assessments and serve a two-fold purpose: to
gather national data on the accumulated indicative literacies need of the prison population and to
establish a starting point for the drafting of individual learning plans.
We have recently replaced the Big Plus tool with a newly developed Skills Profiler which will be
evaluated later this month and adjusted as necessary following conclusion of our trial period. It should
be noted that participation in literacy/numeracy screening is a voluntary process and therefore is not
necessarily reflective of the educational profile of the entire Scottish prison population.
2.
Based on data collated for the period August 2015 - July 2017, of those voluntarily agreeing to
initial literacies screening, the results were as follows:
Those screened at or below at or below SCQF Level 4 = 70%
3.
Based on data collated for the period August 2015 - July 2017, of those voluntarily agreeing to
initial literacies screening, the results were as follows:
Those screened at or below at or below SCQF Level 4 = 85%
If you are unhappy with this response to your request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review,
by writing to The Chief Executive, Calton House, 5 Redheughs Rigg, Edinburgh, EH12 9HW. Your
request should explain why you wish a review to be carried out, and should be made within 40 working
days of receipt of this letter, and we will reply within 20 working days of receipt. If you are not
satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to make a formal complaint to the
Scottish Information Commissioner.
Yours sincerely,
James King
Head of Learning and Skills