Many young offenders find themselves behind bars as the result of a troubled upbringing and a steady decline into a life of crime. Unsurprisingly many end up spending much of their lives in and out of prison, with poor or non-existant job prospects. Richard Barker reports on one North-East prison attempting to buck that trend.

Fran Elliot is a patient and determined woman. For 25 years she has watched young criminals filter in and out of the prison system, unable to stay out of trouble once released, and inevitably back behind bars.

Her remarkably gentle nature - remarkable because she has spent much of her life surrounded by young criminals - hides a steely will, the result of spending so long in such an intimidating world.

Hundreds of teenage offenders enter the prison system, are eventually released, only to return shortly after. And the cycle goes on and on.

But for Fran, who works at Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, in Barnard Castle, there is always the chance that a few may come out better people, and make something of their lives.

At last she is beginning to see fewer of the same old faces trudging back through the gates. Instead, they are finding jobs, building careers, turning away from crime.

And this is largely down to Fran and her team of volunteers, who teach literacy and numeracy skills at the prison's Baliol Learning Centre.

Many of those who arrive at the school haven't seen a text book since primary school, and many have poor reading and writing skills.

But the adult learning support group is hoping to change that, and instill a sense of achievement and self esteem in the inmates.

Fran said: "The lads come to the support group off their own backs - we can't force them to come - many don't bother, and many of those end up back behind bars.

"But some really want to better themselves and it is the most rewarding thing in the world to see them learning and realising that they can get qualifications and get jobs when they are released."

Three sessions are held each week, and the team of volunteer tutors work on a one-to-one basis with the inmates.

Dean, 20, from Middlesbrough, who is serving a three year sentence for burglary, left school at the age of ten and gradually fell into a life of crime.

All he wants to do is learn how to read and write. He said: "I've been doing this for about nine months, and it's really good. All I want to do is try and learn to basic reading and writing, so when I get out I've at least achieved something.

"I don't want to go back to crime, I want to try and get a job, I don't want to spend my life in prison."

There are other inmates, like 18-year-old James, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, who has surprised even his tutors with his achievements.

In just six months he has picked up a host of qualifications, including GCSEs, and is now intent on starting his own business when he is released.

He said: "The tutors are really helpful and I've learnt loads and I'm going to set up my own business when I get out and be success."

Despite its success, the support group is in desperate need for volunteers, who come from all walks of life.

The volunteers include a retired businessmen, teachers and unemployed people.

No experience is necessary, as training is provided, and the work can lead to a City and Guilds qualification.

To find out more about the adult learning support group, contact education manager Chris Holroyd, on (01833) 631031.