The Government has issued figures showing improved levels of education by prisoners.
The number of prisoners in employment and job training increased 9% in the 10 months to July, while the number of prisoners undertaking literacy and numeracy education increased 15%, the figures show.
The statistics take as their starting point the Prisoner Skills and Employment Strategy unveiled in September last year.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins says prisoners with work skills and good literacy and maths skills are less likely to end up back in jail, and too often a lack of these basic skills leads to reoffending.
