Sid Madge

The Counting on Confidence Programme, run by the self-development organisation Meee, is designed to embed a belief in the power of learning as a pathway to a better life. It has been running in three prisons south of the border.

The programme creates personalised learning plans, helping prisoners develop fundamental skills such as literacy and numeracy.

Every year, around 70,000 men are released from UK prisons, yet almost half (48 per cent) reoffend within 12 months. Only 17 per cent of those leaving prison secure employment, in part due to low educational attainment, which severely limits job prospects, and the lack of access to support networks, rehabilitation programmes, and skills training that can help them successfully reintegrate into society.

The Counting on Confidence Programme is “designed to spark a belief in the power of learning as a pathway to a better life”. The programme creates personalised learning plans, helping prisoners develop essential skills such as literacy and numeracy.

Sid Madge, founder of Meee and creator of Counting on Confidence, said: “The success of these pilots has shown us the urgent need to expand this programme across more UK prisons.

“By providing prisoners with the belief, tools, and skills to succeed, we can break the cycle of reoffending and build a better future, for them, for society, and for our overcrowded prison system. It’s a win-win for everyone.”