Well-being programmes in prisons in England and Wales: a mixed-methods study

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Growing awareness of well-being's importance.
• Increased development of well-being programs.
• Need to understand prison-based initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate well-being programs offered to prisoners in England and Wales.
• Identify experienced benefits and outcomes of these programs.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods exploratory design.
• Phase 1: Questionnaire survey of all adult prisons.
• Phase 2: In-depth interviews with a sample of respondents.

Main Results:

• Identified programs: physical activities, creative arts, mindfulness, horticulture, reading, animal-assisted activities.
• Prison staff reported positive outcomes: prisoner enthusiasm, enjoyment, novelty.
• Interviews rarely indicated direct health and well-being benefits; program development was often ad hoc.

Conclusions:

• Prison well-being programs are varied, encompassing diverse activities.
• Reported outcomes focus on engagement and routine variation, not direct health benefits.
• Program development lacks consistent policy alignment and is often informal.