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A systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peer-based interventions to maintain and improve offender health in prison settings.
The prison population has high levels of poor health and more needs to be known about effective interventions in this vulnerable population. Research indicates that peer-based approaches can be a mechanism for supporting healthcare delivery and health improvement in prison settings, but prior to this study, the evidence had not been systematically reviewed. The Peers in Prison Settings study addressed this research gap and provided information to support decision making in the NHS by undertaking a synthesis of evidence on peer-based interventions.
The study received approval from the National Offender Management Service National Research Committee.
About the study
The aims of the project were to conduct an evidence synthesis on peer-based interventions in prison settings, including young offender institutions (YOIs), and to provide research based information on types of intervention, outcomes, costs and benefits to aid decision making within the prison health service.
The main research question was: "What is the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of peer-based interventions to maintain and improve health in prisons and young offender institutions?"
The study objectives were to:
Involving service users
All health service research needs to consider the views of patients and the public. In this study we consulted with prisoners (including those already acting in peer-support roles) about the findings from the systematic review. A series of listening exercises were held with prisoners at existing health forums in prisons in West Yorkshire as well as the Jigsaw Visitors’ Centre at HMP Leeds.
It is vitally important to get prisoners’ views as the desk-based research did not cover ‘real life’ issues in much detail. Speaking to existing prisoners helped us to produce the final report with practical information that can be used in developing health services in prisons.
An Expert Symposium was held in May 2012 to gather expert opinion on whether and how peer-based approaches work within prisons and YOIs in England and Wales. The evidence heard at the symposium was able to supplement the data obtained from the systematic review of research studies and provide vital contextual information on the application of peer-based approaches within prison environments. Experts were be drawn from different fields including prison health services, National Offender Management Service, academic research and third sector organisations.
The final report "A systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peer-based interventions to maintain and improve offender health in prison settings" was published in the HS&DR journal on the NIHR Journals Library website.
The following outputs are also available:
The study (2012-13) was being funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research (NIHR HS&DR) programme Project Number 10/2002/13
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NIHR HS&DR programme or the Department of Health.
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