Majesty's Prison Research Articles

From mainstream theatres to Synergy theatre project: black men's participation in ‘urban’ plays in prison

This paper compares how urban-themed black British playwriting can be understood within mainstream and applied theatre contexts. The paper first examines the focus of the mainstream theatre's education packs for productions of Kwame Kwei-Armah's Elmina's Kitchen and Roy Williams's Fallout before exploring how black men's participation in Synergy Theatre Project's productions of the same two plays at Her Majesty's Prison, Brixton impacts on participants and audiences in line with some of the key principles of applied theatre practice in prisons.

Patients’/prisoners’ perspectives regarding the National Health Service mental healthcare provided in one Her Majesty’s Prison Service establishment

This paper focuses on patients'/prisoners’ narratives that discuss the National Health Service mental healthcare provided in one Her Majesty's Prison Service establishment. In comparison to the general population, the prevalence of mental illness experienced by the prisoner population is exceedingly high. The prison environment is not conducive to mental health and this custodial clinical setting is not a useful catalyst for mental healthcare for myriad reasons. The pursuit of good mental health for patients in the penal milieu is challenging. For this medical sociology case study, qualitative semi-structured interviews are conducted with male prisoners in a Category B establishment. These participants are also primary or secondary level mental health service users. Analytical discussions concern the clinician–patient relationship and patients’ opinions regarding the mental healthcare received. Debated concepts include: understanding, care, trust, flexibility, cooperation, conversation, relaxation, enjoyment and patient power. Mental healthcare receipt experiences and environments are important.

Recent Trends in UK Prison Libraries

The purpose of this article is to explore and explain the significant developments and trends in prison libraries over the last thirty years. The article includes sections on legislation affecting prison libraries, staffing arrangements, roles and responsibilities of HMP (Her Majesty's Prison) Service, and UK Local Authorities. The work of the Prison Libraries Group (PrLG) of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is examined in detail, as are the management of prison libraries and the methods of inspections and audits. The article examines the challenges of trying to engage an often disaffected population with diverse needs. Training requirements and opportunities for prison staff are investigated, as this is a crucial element in prison library work. The article concludes that the prison library is at the heart of the prisoners' learning journey by assisting in functional and emotional literacy. Not only can the prison library help to bridge the digital divide and increase prisoners ICT skills, it also can instill a love of books and reading through exciting reader development projects. The author hopes that funding for prison libraries continues at its present level in order to maintain an excellent service to prisoners and to ensure that providers are able to deliver an affordable service within a reasonable timeframe. The article will be of interest to prison library staff, local authority staff with responsibility for library services to prison facilities, and library and information science students.

Embracing the notion that context is crucial in prison mental health care

This paper focuses on the mental health of adult male prisoners and the mental health care provided within Her Majesty's Prison Service (HMPS), United Kingdom (UK). Currently, the level of mental health need within this population is high, and prison mental health services require additional positive developments. The prison milieu is not always conducive to good mental health, and is not often a useful catalyst for mental health care. Arguably, prison mental health services ought to be increasingly fashioned (commissioned, provided, managed and practised) in direct accordance with the prison social environment, institutional set‐up and specific mental health requirements of prisoners/patients. In this paper, therefore, attention is devoted to social and institutional structures which permeate the prison setting. The proposition is that situation‐specific and culturally responsive mental health care is a must; context is crucial.

The Management Standards Indicator Tool and the estimation of risk

The Health & Safety Executive's (HSE) Indicator Tool offers a measure of exposure to psychosocial work conditions that may be linked to stress-related outcomes. The HSE recommends that Indicator Tool data should be used as a basis for discussions concerned with the identification of psychosocial work conditions that might warrant prioritization for intervention. However, operational constraints may render discussions difficult to convene and, when they do take place, the absence of information on harms associated with exposures can make it difficult to identify intervention priorities. To examine (i) the utility of the Indicator Tool for the identification of a manageable number of psychosocial work conditions as intervention candidates and (ii) whether administration of a measure of stress-related outcomes alongside the Indicator Tool can facilitate the identification of intervention priorities. One thousand and thirty-eight employees in the London region of the Her Majesty's Prison Service completed the Indicator Tool and a measure of psychological well-being. Odds ratios were calculated to estimate the risk of impairment to well-being associated with exposure to psychosocial work conditions. The Indicator Tool identified 34 psychosocial work conditions as warranting improvement. Intervention priority was given to those working conditions that were both reported to be poor by ≥50% of respondents and associated with risk of impairment to well-being. This method allowed for the identification of four areas. Augmentation of the Indicator Tool with a measure of stress-related outcomes and the calculation of simple risk estimation statistics can assist the prioritization of intervention candidates.

Testing the predictive utility of the STATIC‐99: A Bayes analysis

Purpose. This study applies a Bayes analysis to the probability of a particular STATIC‐99 score and its associated re‐offence probability with recidivating for a sexual offence. We examine this probability over three time frames: within 5 years; within 10 years; and within 15 years.Methods. This study was conducted using the same data from Hanson and Thornton (1999). This dataset is constituted from four different samples: Institut Philippe Pinel (Canada) sample; Millbrook Recidivism Study (Canada) sample; Oak Ridge Division of the Penetanguishene Mental Health Center (Canada) sample; and Her Majesty's Prison Service (UK) sample. The final sample for which sufficient information was available to score the STATIC‐99 includes 1,086 sexual offenders. Bayes statistic has been used to analyse the data.Results. Results are consistent with the STATIC‐99 as a useful assessment tool. The Bayes‐generated probabilities as well as odds ratios show a consistent increase in increased likelihood of re‐offence as the score value increases.Conclusions. The Bayesian analysis of the STATIC‐99 shows that this method is very interesting in the context of risk assessment tools. This approach to risk assessment instruments may be more appropriate in the communication of analytic results as it can offer clinicians a combination of probabilities and likelihood ratios resulting a readily accessible profile of risk.

The emotional labor of nurses working in her Majesty's (HM) prison service

In this study, a qualitative, reflexive methodology was adopted with a postmodern philosophical foundation in order to examine the emotional labor of nurses working in prisons in England and Wales. Phase 1 of the study involved semistructured interviews with nine qualified, registered nurses from three adult prisons: two male establishments and one female. In phase 2 of the study, two of these nurses entered into a supervisory relationship with the researcher, with the researcher as clinical supervisor. Monthly clinical supervision sessions were held with both nurses over 6 months. Findings from this study suggest that the nurse working in prison experiences emotional labor as a consequence of four key relationships: the relationship with the prisoner patient, the relationship with officer colleagues, and the relationship with the Institution; the fourth relationship centers on the contradictory discourses the nurse engages with internally, and is referred to as the "intranurse" relationship. This relationship involves on-going internal dialogue between the two selves of the nurse: the professional self and the emotional "feeling" self. In order to manage the emotion work inherent in prison work, it is suggested that the development of emotional intelligence through clinical supervision and reflective practice is of significant benefit to both healthcare and discipline staff.

Male Sexual Offenders' Emotional Openness With Men and Women

This study explored male sexual offenders' openness and intimacy with adult males and females. Two measures developed to examine intimacy with adults (Openness to Women and Openness to Men) were validated on sexual offenders ( N = 1,857) undergoing cognitive-behavioral treatment in Her Majesty's Prison Service. Both measures had good reliability and validity, although they correlated with socially desirable responding. All offenders reported lower intimacy with men compared with nonoffenders, but child molesters also reported lower intimacy with women than nonoffenders and rapists. Openness to adults was related to risk, with higher risk offenders having greater problems with intimacy than lower risk offenders. However, the authors did not find a relationship between low openness to women and high emotional congruence with children.

Audit into Blood-Borne Virus Services in Her Majesty's Prison Service

The main objective of this study is to assess current hepatitis C services for female prisoners. The study design includes a retrospective audit of inmates' contact with blood-borne virus (BBV) services and outcomes of service use. The study was carried out at a prison for women in the north of England with 179 prisoners and 69 service users. The outcome measures were proportions in contact with services and outcomes of service use (time to testing/treatment; proportion positive for hepatitis C; HIV status). Almost a quarter of those arriving at the prison have contact with BBV services; most of them report a history of intravenous drug use (75.4%), although one-fifth of such individuals decline testing. The average number of days from imprisonment to testing was 86-half this time if arriving since October 2006. Fifty percent were positive for the hepatitis C antibody, the majority of whom (83.3%) had an active virus and were suitable for treatment. The average number of days from testing to referral was 38. All tested for HIV were negative. Therefore, efficiency is necessary if prisoners are to access BBV services while incarcerated. This is being achieved, although some delays still occur.

Prisoners of the Sun: The British Empire and Imprisonment in Malta in the Early Nineteenth Century

The ‘birth of the prison' has been linked to replacement of the ancient regime and the emergence of industrial, capitalist society. But this explanation gives insufficient attention to the role of the British Empire in diffusion of the prison as an institution and the continuing role of the sovereign in its political message. This essay focuses on the establishment of the prison at Corradino, in Malta, from initial plans in the 1830s through to its inaugural year in 1850. Drawing on archival materials in London and Malta, we explore the role of British social attitudes in empire-making and prison construction. Specifically, we explore the making of colonial prison policy, the architecture of the prison and colonial social hierarchy, the role of Catholic ritual in prison discipline, beliefs about ‘race' and criminality, and the significance of prison labour in a non-industrial context. Building Her Majesty's prison in Malta made it impossible for the Maltese to forget that they were subjects of a sovereign and not citizens in their own republic.

The Construction and Preliminary Validation of the Internet Behaviours and Attitudes Questionnaire (IBAQ)

This study describes the construction and preliminary validation of a measure of the attitudes and behaviours of convicted men whose offences are related to Internet child 'pornography' (abusive images). An initial measure was constructed through the generation of items with reference to the emerging literature on these offenders. Phase 1 involved piloting this first version of the measure with 40 Internet sexual offenders incarcerated in Her Majesty's Prison Service. Phase 2 involved the validation of an improved version of the IBAQ with 123 Internet sexual offenders both incarcerated in Her Majesty's Prison Service and subject to community dispositions. The measure had excellent internal consistency. Following factor analysis a two factor solution, 'distorted thinking', and 'self-management' emerged from the attitudinal items. The attitude measure was not influenced by social desirability, and was able to discriminate participants who disclosed the greater number of 'offending behaviours'. These results are discussed in terms of their clinical implications.

The Construction and Preliminary Validation of the Internet Behaviours and Attitudes Questionnaire (IBAQ)

This study describes the construction and preliminary validation of a measure of the attitudes and behaviours of convicted men whose offences are related to Internet child 'pornography' (abusive images). An initial measure was constructed through the generation of items with reference to the emerging literature on these offenders. Phase 1 involved piloting this first version of the measure with 40 Internet sexual offenders incarcerated in Her Majesty's Prison Service. Phase 2 involved the validation of an improved version of the IBAQ with 123 Internet sexual offenders both incarcerated in Her Majesty's Prison Service and subject to community dispositions. The measure had excellent internal consistency. Following factor analysis a two factor solution, 'distorted thinking', and 'self-management' emerged from the attitudinal items. The attitude measure was not influenced by social desirability, and was able to discriminate participants who disclosed the greater number of 'offending behaviours'. These results are discussed in terms of their clinical implications.

Reconsidering Respect: Its Role in Her Majesty's Prison Service

Abstract:This article examines the meaning of respect in the interpersonal relationships within Her Majesty's Prison Service. It is argued that respect‐as‐esteem and respect‐as‐consideration are often confused and unequally emphasised in modern society. This confusion is especially evident within the prison context where, due to the prison service's ‘decency agenda’, the respectful treatment of inmates has become a topical issue. What does respect mean in prison? Why is it important? How can respectful relationships be established between staff and inmates? This article discusses these questions and proposes that there are different forms of respect possible between people. It is argued that there needs to be a recognition of the nuances of meaning when we use the word respect and that ‘respect‐as‐consideration’ may be the form of respect most consistently achievable, at the present time, within interpersonal relationships in English and Welsh prisons.

Prisons and health reforms in England and Wales.

Prison health in England and Wales has seen rapid reform and modernization. Previously it was characterized by over-medicalization, difficulties in staff recruitment, and a lack of professional development for staff. The Department of Health assumed responsibility from Her Majesty's Prison Service for health policymaking in 2000, and full budgetary and health care administration control were transferred by April 2006. As a result of this reorganization, funding has improved and services now relate more to assessed health need. There is early but limited evidence that some standards of care and patient outcomes have improved. The reforms address a human rights issue: that prisoners have a right to expect their health needs to be met by services that are broadly equivalent to services available to the community at large. We consider learning points for other countries which may be contemplating prison health reform, particularly those with a universal health care system.

The Private Finance Initiative: An Innovative Procurement Tool for Today's Public Administrators

The Private Finance Initiative is an innovative public-private partnership first pioneered in the United Kingdom. The initiative's goal is to obtain higher quality public services at a lower cost to the public by engaging the private sector. The program relies on private financing and expertise, output-based contract specifications, performance-based payment mechanisms, and negotiated risk transfers to achieve this goal. This article discusses the initiative's successes and failures using Her Majesty's Prison Service as a case study. The article finds that, while the program has limitations, the evidence of its successes suggests that American administrators should consider it as a procurement tool for public services in the United States.

Getting Clean in a Drug Rehabilitation Program in Prison

High-risk drug use is prevalent among UK prison populations (Lipton, 1995) while recovery in prison is both complex and variable. Grounded theory methodology was employed to gain a greater understanding of the perceptions and conceptualisations of “risk,” “need” and “motivation” in relation to prisoner drug abusing practices, criminal practices, abstinence initiating practices and the meaning of recovery for 11 Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) based drug rehabilitation clients. The analysis presented five themes with the main problem faced by the participants as “staying clean.”

Evidence-based justice

Evidence-based justice

Health indicators in a prison population: Asking prisoners

Objective To collect information on health determinants directly from prisoners, complementary to a needs assessment. Design Self-completion multiple-choice questionnaire to a sample based on alternate cells. " Setting Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Cardiff. Method Three hundred men received questionnaires with an offer of confidential help, which was accepted by two. Questions included qualifications, previous occupation, drug, alcohol and medical history, smoking, perceived threats, worries, diet, exercise, drugs in prison, access to services, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. Results Of 133 (44 per cent) who responded, more than half had left school prematurely. Thirty-three (25 per cent) drank 90 alcohol units or more weekly before prison and 91 (68 per cent) used illegal drugs, with 44 (33 per cent) using in prison. Of the 112 (84 per cent) who smoked, 89 (79 per cent) wished to quit. Ninety-one (68 per cent) never took vigorous exercise, and 83 (62 per cent) ate less than three portions of fruit and/or vegetables daily. Only 41 (35 per cent) were within the normal HAD range for both anxiety and depression. Conclusion This study highlights concurrent high levels of adverse health determinants in prisoners. Targeting these determinants should improve health and decrease the chance of returning to criminality on release.

Illicit Drug and Injecting Equipment Markets Inside English Prisons

In recent years, disrupting the supply of illicit drugs and injecting equipment inside Her Majesty's (HM) prisons has become an important focus for prison drug policy. This paper presents findings from qualitative research, which invited 24 drug injectors with prison experience to discuss the role and operation of illicit drug and injecting equipment markets inside prison. These data were obtained from in-depth interviews and small group discussions. The analyses of these findings are grouped under three broad themes. First, why and how drugs and injecting equipment enter prison from outside. Second, the maintenance of supplies inside prison. Third, the availability of drugs and injecting equipment with a special focus on the quality of injecting equipment. These findings raise important implications, not least public health concerns with the transmission of infection. Prison policy should take a much stronger lead in reducing the harms caused by the operation of prison drug and injecting equipment markets.

Cognitive‐behavioural treatment for imprisoned offenders: An evaluation of HM Prison Service's cognitive skills programmes

Purpose. The effectiveness of prison‐based cognitive‐behavioural treatment programmes was evaluated using reconviction as the outcome measure.Method. Reconviction rates were compared between two groups of adult male offenders who were serving a custodial sentence of 2 years or more in Her Majesty's Prison Service, England and Wales. The treatment group (N =667) consisted of offenders who had voluntarily participated in one of two treatment programmes that targeted 'cognitive deficits' related to offending behaviour. The comparison group (N =1,801) was made up of offenders who had not participated in the treatment programme but were “matched” to the treatment group on a number of empirically relevant variables.Results. Treatment produced a robust reduction in the probability of reconviction (p < .001) when other relevant variables were controlled for. For treated offenders, the percentage point reduction in reconviction was 14% in medium‐lowrisk offenders and 11% in medium‐high‐risk offenders.Conclusion. These outcome results demonstrate that the principles of effective practice in the field of offender rehabilitation, which were identified through meta‐analytical research predominately in North America, can be applied to a UK offender population to similar effect.