Exploring health and wellbeing in prison: a peer research approach

• Published date: 11 September 2019
• Date: 11 September 2019
• Pages: 78-92
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-03-2019-0019
• Author: Stephanie E. Perrett,Benjamin J. Gray,L. G.,D. E.,Neville J. Brooks
• Subject Matter: Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Prisoner health,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice

Exploring health and wellbeing in prison:

a peer research approach

Stephanie E. Perrett, Benjamin J. Gray, L. G., D. E. and Neville J. Brooks

Abstract

Purpose –Those in prison have expert knowledge of issues affecting their health and wellbeing. The purpose

of this paper is to report on work undertaken with male prisoners. This paper presents learning and findings

from the process of engaging imprisoned men as peer researchers.

Design/methodology/approach –The peer researcher approach offers an emic perspective to understand

the experience of being in prison. The authors established the peer research role as an educational initiative at

a long-stay prison in Wales, UK to determine the feasibility of engaging imprisoned men as peer researchers.

Focus groups, interviews and questionnaires were used by the peer researchers to identify the health and

wellbeing concerns of men in prison.

Findings –The project positively demonstrated the feasibility of engaging imprisoned men as peer

researchers. Four recurring themes affecting health and wellbeing for men in a prison vulnerable persons unit

were identified: communication, safety, respect and emotional needs. Themes were inextricably linked

demonstrating the complex relationships between prison and health.

Originality/value –This was the first prison peer-research project to take place in Wales, UK.

It demonstrates the value men in prison can play in developing the evidence base around health and

wellbeing in prison, contributing to changes within the prison to improve health and wellbeing for all.

Keywords Health in prison, Qualitative research, Offender health, Public health, Prison,

Health promoting prison

Paper type General review

Introduction

Over the last century, UK prisons have strived to transition from being purely places of

punishment towards rehabilitative environments focussed on building individuals who can

contribute to society and are less likely to reoffend (Costelloe, 2014). The rehabilitative process in

prisons in England and Wales is seen as a multidisciplinary approach with all roles within the

prison, including the service user, having a part to play. Health and justice organisations across

the UK recognise the need to work together as a whole prison approach to establish a healthy

rehabilitative culture (HM Government, 2018; NHS Scotland, 2018). Good health and wellbeing

are recognised as key elements to successful rehabilitation and resettlement (De Vigianni, 2006).

It is well known that those in prison have higher levels of ill-health and experience greater

inequalities than those in the general community (World Health Organization, 2014). This is

confounded by the impact of isolation and overcrowding of the prison environment (MacDonald,

2018). Conversely we know that prisons can protect health by providing shelter, warmth, food

and access to healthcare. Relationships between prison and health are complex. Understanding

how wellbeing is affected by imprisonment from those who have lived experience of being in

prison can contribute to the knowledge base. The development of peer research in a prison

setting can help achieve this.

The development of peer roles to provide support, education, advice, mentoring or signposting

have grown in popularity across English and Welsh prisons (South et al., 2014) and have

consistently been associated with positive outcomes (Bagnall et al., 2015). Policy makers,

particularly in healthcare, increasingly expect public involvement in the planning and delivery of

Received 22 March 2019

Revised 19 June 2019

Accepted 29 July 2019

This project was fundedfrom the

Foundation of Nursing Science

(FoNS) Practice DevelopmentFund.

The authors would like to thank

staff at HMP & YOI Parc for their

support of this work. Particular

thanks go to Karen Wright, Cecile

Boutet, Lisette Saundersand Ian

Coles. In memory of Jess Bowen

who was instrumental in the

success of this work.

Stephanie E. Perrett is based at

Health Protection Division,

Public Health Wales,

Cardiff, UK.

Benjamin J. Gray is based at

Policy, Research and

Evaluation Division, Public

Health Wales, Cardiff, UK.

L. G. and D. E. are both based

at HMP Parc, Bridgend, UK.

Neville J. Brooks is based at

Neville Brooks, NJB

Consultancy, Blaenavon, UK.

PAG E 78

j

INTERNATIONALJOURNAL OF PRISONER HEALTH

j

VOL. 16 NO. 1 2020, pp. 78-92, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1744-9200 DOI 10.1108/IJPH-03-2019-0019