Measuring the cost and effectiveness of peer-supported social care in prisons

In many prisons, some imprisoned individuals are trained to meet the non-personal social care needs of fellow inmates yet there is little quantitative or economic evidence of the value of these schemes. In this study we investigated how to best monitor and measure their effectiveness and cost, the current state of data collection in England and Wales and where there are data gaps.

Part of a larger multi-site rapid mixed-methods evaluation of social care peer-support services in prisons. This sub-study included a rapid scoping review, interviews with staff, a stakeholder workshop and cost survey.

We assimilated information from the different sources about the risks and benefits of peer-support initiatives in prisons, available data and scope for expanding data collection. We mapped risks and benefits to appropriate outcome measures. The cost survey was sent to 18 prisons.

No routine national data are collected on these schemes. Some data are collected at a local level, but these are mainly operational and there is a lack of data with which to monitor and measure effectiveness. Costing data is limited, varies between prisons and collected infrequently. Gaps in data affect the ability to measure the impact on those imprisoned, staff and the prison system.

The effectiveness and cost of peer-support in prisons for social care is not routinely monitored across England and Wales. National standards should be developed alongside better and more consistent data collection so that their value can be truly assessed and different schemes can be compared.