Well-being programmes in prisons in England and Wales: a mixed-methods study
International Journal of Prisoner Health
ISSN: 1744-9200
Article publication date: 13 August 2021
Issue publication date: 21 July 2022
Abstract
Purpose
In the past decade, there has been growing awareness of well-being and its importance and an increase in the development of activities or programmes aimed at improving well-being. The purpose of this study is to investigate what well-being programmes were being offered to prisoners in England and Wales and what benefits and other outcomes were experienced.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a mixed-methods exploratory design in two phases. Phase 1 was a questionnaire survey of all adult prisons in England and Wales, completed by prison staff. In Phase 2, a sample of survey respondents took part in in-depth interviews.
Findings
The programmes identified in Phase 1 included physical activities, creative arts, mindfulness, horticulture, reading and animal-assisted activities. Prison staff reported a range of universally positive outcomes shared by all programmes, including enthusiasm from prisoners, enjoyment of the activities and being able to do something different from the usual prison routine. However, in Phase 2, interviewees rarely mentioned direct health and well-being benefits. The impetus for programmes was varied and there was little reference to national policy on health and well-being; this reflected the ad hoc way in which programmes are developed, with a key role being played by the Well-being Officer, where these were funded.
Originality/value
The literature on well-being programmes in prisons is limited and tends to focus on specific types of initiatives, often in a single prison. This study contributes by highlighting the range of activities across prisons and elucidating the perspectives of those involved in running such programmes.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the Strategic Research Investment Fund from the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield.
Citation
Turner, M., King, N., Mojtahedi, D., Burr, V., Gall, V., Gibbs, G.R., Hudspith, L.F., Leadley, C.B. and Walker, T. (2022), "Well-being programmes in prisons in England and Wales: a mixed-methods study", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 259-274. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-03-2021-0021
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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