Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Changing public-health policy and practice within the prison system, improving health outcomes for prisoners and their families in the UK and internationally.
Research addressing the health of marginalised groups has been a long-standing priority at Leeds Beckett University (LBU), particularly in relation to prisoners and their families who face disproportionate rates of poor health. Research suggests that, in the UK, imprisonment impacts not only on those directly in prison but also prisoners’ families and relatives and the prison workforce.
The initial work of Woodall, Dixey and South stimulated a focussed interest in the prison as a distinct setting for health promotion practice and policy development. This included a wider view of the prison setting encompassing both prisoners, families and prison staff. The research argued that a disease-focussed, reductionist model of prison health was too limited in fully addressing the myriad of issues facing this population and instead a more ‘upstream’ salutogenic focus (the focus on human health and wellbeing rather than on factors that cause disease) was necessary to address the inequalities faced in this population.
The Approach
Building on this work and the LBU, NIHR funded study ‘People in Public Health’, further NIHR funding enabled a study exploring the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peer interventions in prison settings. This was conceived and led by LBU, in collaboration with health economists at the University of Leeds plus two GPs working in prison healthcare.
This systematic review, the first comprehensive review on this issue, showed the benefits of peer interventions for influencing health outcomes, including the management of poor life style choices with increased health risks. The research included ‘expert hearings’ which brought together stakeholders from the prison service, health services and the voluntary sector to identify implications for policy and practice, including how peers could be recruited, trained and supported.
The research showed clear health outcomes from this intervention mode (particularly HIV prevention outcomes), but also provided understanding of context and delivery mechanisms required for success (including the need for organisational buy-in; funding and resource; and a recognition of placing prisoners in positions of relative power and trust).
Research focussing more specifically on prisoners’ families and children has been undertaken by Dixey and Woodall. This research has had academic and sectorial impact in understanding the role of prison visits in maintaining family ties and supporting the wider health and wellbeing of prisoners, their families and their children. This work has highlighted the pivotal role of prison visitors’ centres (in providing practical, social and emotional support to families) and the prison visit (in relation to reduced re-offending) to government and agencies in addressing health and social outcomes for families, children and prisoners themselves. These groups are often the most vulnerable and socially excluded in society. This research has been important as, to date, there is no mandate for prisons to have dedicated facilities for families. The research has demonstrated the positive impact of such facilities in creating healthier prison environments.
Artwork commissioned as part of peer intervention in prison study
The Impact
The underpinning research has resulted in changing UK government policy in relation to prisoner health as well as leading health service, public health and criminal justice agencies in developing policy, commissioning and practice guidance. The underpinning research has also impacted directly on policy and practice in the Canadian health system.
Study for a research degree at Leeds Beckett and you'll join a thriving academic community in an inspiring and supportive environment. The Graduate School supports our increasingly active postgraduate research community and encourages students to make a difference to the university’s research culture and environment.
Leeds Beckett University can conduct research on your behalf to help you to implement change and realise your business potential. Validating your ideas with academic evidence can be an essential part of winning contracts and fuelling business growth.
