Portland has a range of training, educational and personal development opportunities. Education is provided in conjunction with Weston College. Education courses (both part and full time) are offered after an assessment of the prisoner ranging from Pre-entry to level 3 Support is also available for those on distance learning options. Vocational training opportunities are numerous and include:
- Bricklaying,
- Building Operatives,
- Painting and Decorating,
- Carpentry and Joinery,
- Fork Lift Truck,
- Recycling Workshop,
- Hard Landscaping
- Barbering,
- Catering
- Motor Mechanics,
- Motor Cycle Maintenance,
- Multi-Skills in Construction, CSCS (With card being available),
- BICS
- Animal Welfare,
- Radio Production,
- Groundsmanship,
- Performing Manufacturing Operations,
- Steelworks, and
- Railtrack.
NVQ’s are also provided for a number of orderly posotions such as Clothing Exchange Service, Laundry and Recycling. All prisoners receive training in Health & Safety, Food Hygiene and Emergency First Aid within their first 2 weeks at Portland as a precursor to work placement. Portland also offer qualifications via the PE department in areas such as Gym instructor, diet and nutrition etc.
The prison runs a Resettlement programme which includes a two week course starting with an assessment of the prisoners needs 6 weeks prior to release. Other courses include a Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it (CALM), Prisoner Addressing Substance Related Offending (PASRO) and Counselling Assessment Referral Advice Throughcare (CARATs).
Healthcare is provided by Dorset Healthcare University Foundation Trust