A COLLEGE has joined forces with a jail to offer inmates numeracy and literacy skills.

As part of a wider Get On North-East campaign, inmates at Durham Prison are being given the chance to learn life skills.

It is hoped they will give them more chance of entering the jobs market on their release, and help habitual prisoners to end their cycle of offending.

Tuition is on offer from lecturers at New College Durham to improve prisoners' basic skills, such as reading, writing and maths.

Between 60 and 80 per cent of inmates are believed to have learning skills problems.

Inmates are paid £8 a week to join the classes, similar to the amount paid for other work carried out during their time behind bars.

Kevin Straughan, the prison's head of learning and skills, said: "This programme is giving prisoners a new lease of life by opening up all manner of opportunities for them to better themselves and start afresh when they are released, which is wonderful.

"Research across Europe and in the US proves that better numeracy and literacy skills give prisoners increased self confidence and improves their chances of stabilising their lives by finding employment, and makes them less likely to re-offend."

Prison governor Mike Newell said the wider community was benefiting from the scheme, while it was helping the inmates to make the most of their time in prison.

Get On North-East is backed by 35 organisations across the region, including the CBI, development agency One NorthEast, the Government Office North-East and the Learning and Skills Council.