A PIONEERING learning facility is about to open in a Durham prison.

After securing £20,000 from the County Durham Learning and Skills Council, Low Newton Prison became the first in the country to introduce the Learning Prison scheme.

It involves the prison, which has 264 women inmates, working closely with New College, Durham, to boost the work already done by its own education department.

The partnership follows the prison's success in achieving Investor in People status, and will enable staff to take advantage of improved learning opportunities.

If it proves successful, it could be rolled out at other prisons throughout the country.

By next week, the scheme's organisers hope its central learning shop will be up and running.

Martin Dajoux, learning prison partnership co-ordinator, said it would make a vast difference to both staff and inmates, enabling them to learn a wide range of skills.

"The idea is to offer learning opportunities within and relaxed and friendly atmosphere, bringing in information technology skills to learning," he said.

"We are looking to tie the Learning Shop in with the education department within the prison, and we are trying to break down the barriers to improve prisoner's and staff's learning.

"We hope to introduce work-based skills and assist staff with gaining qualifications, as well as teaching prisoners things such as interview techniques and CV writing.

"We are preparing them for the outside world."

Through the Learning Shop, outside organisations like Jobcentre Plus, Connexions, Nacro and the Prince's Trust will work together to offer help and training.

At a recent partnership committee meeting, more than 21 education and community organisations expressed an interest in being involved.

One of the key options open to inmates will be studying at New College on their release.

Mr Dajoux said: "Most of the women have low self esteem and wouldn't feel they belonged at somewhere like New College.

"Through the Learning Shop, they will be able to meet the staff and hopefully gain the confidence to apply for courses.

"Three prisoners have already put in applications to go to college on their release and another 15-20 were interviewed by the Prince's Trust for its development programme."

The partnership has submitted a bid to the Learning and Skills Council for £43,000 to fund the scheme for the next financial year