Making Prison Research Matter
Written by Tessa Birch, Research Assistant Psychologist, PROSPECT project
How can research be used to drive a reduction in the prison population? As an early career researcher new to working in prisons, I was privileged to attend a recent Howard League conference, in partnership with Leeds Trinity University, on this topic. I’m a Research Assistant Psychologist who’s been working on the PROSPECT clinical trial for the last six months, and much of my time is spent on prison wings collecting data from participants; I was looking forward to looking beyond the day to day challenges of running a long-term research programme and gain a wider perspective on the role prison research can play in making a difference.
Building evidence, ideas and strategies to challenge established criminal justice paradigms was the aim of the day, and the excellent guest speakers showcased different, innovative approaches to reducing the growing prison population. However, translating research findings into significant and lasting positive change for the prison population is a huge challenge which resonated consistently through every presentation. At a time of long-term chronic underinvestment in the prison system, and little public and political pressure to challenge the status quo, how can we use research to galvanise those in power to make change? How can we make prison research matter?
Show how research can support the austerity narrative
Ten years of austerity has been a huge drain on public services in general, and the prison estate in particular. However, as Dr Nasrul Ismail from the University of Bristol explained, the government still chooses expensive incarceration over cheaper alternatives to managing criminal behaviour, such as rehabilitation and early release. Ismail proposed working with the prevailing austerity narrative to disrupt the rising prison population, using research findings to clearly communicate the cost-effectiveness of decarceration and preventative programmes. Dr Ismail also suggested making prison spending more public, so that how public money is spent on criminal justice in general, and on prisons in particular, comes under greater scrutiny.
Integrating value for money evaluation is standard practice for larger scale research projects, but interestingly, there were no health economists presenting at the conference; it would be interesting to hear whether they already position their findings within the wider context of long term austerity. From a personal perspective, I left the conference determined to gain knowledge about the measures used to calculate the PROSPECT study’s value for money, and better understand how we can communicate this with key stakeholders.
Using ‘hot button’ topics such as austerity to gain traction, and increase the relevance of prison research to austerity-conscious decision makers, seems like a pragmatic approach; indeed, it may increase the likelihood to positive action and prison reform. But does this approach have broader implications for how the research community is perceived? Should our research within prisons speak for itself, or do we as researchers need to be better able to show how it can solve wider budgetary and organisational issues that are pressing for our stakeholders? And do we compromise the perceived integrity and independence of the research community by using political issues to increase the visibility of our findings?
Engage with the wider community to get your voice heard
Right from the moment a research project is conceived, it is essential to engage with the wider community, and seek potential champions who may support a project from inception to completion. This was particularly evident when Dr Kirsty Teague, from the University of Derby, spoke about the Corbett Centre, a specialist centre in Derby aiming primarily to help ex-prisoners with sexual convictions to safely reintegrate into society, by offering practical and emotional support, educational opportunities and training, with the aim to significantly reduce re-offending. Such a scheme was considered contentious by the local community, who felt initially that money should be spent on victim support rather than offender rehabilitation, and open communication with the community played an important role in gaining local authority approval and funding for the centre. Identifying at the start the right people on the project team and within the community to build effective relationships seems crucial. The brainchild of the Safer Living Foundation, the Corbett Centre is also part of the Corbett Network for Prisoner Re-Integration; a coalition of charities, social enterprises, CICs, non-profit organisations and businesses with a social mission who work with those in prison and after release. Working as part of a larger network enables the Corbett Centre to join a wider mission, draw from a broader evidence base, and speak with a louder voice on the topic of reducing re-offending.
The importance of engaging with the community you are operating within when trialling innovative approaches particularly resonated with me and my work on PROSPECT trial. We operate as guests of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, so building relationships within the prison community is vital to the smooth running of the trial. We have found that regularly updating people within prison, from governors to prison officers, giving people an opportunity to voice concerns, ask questions and offer help, has been invaluable to overcoming any obstacles in our way. Working closely in collaboration with the community also gives an opportunity to iron out any practical or operational challenges, meaning that by the time the research is published, you can have developed a clear plan for implementation, giving stakeholders confidence that implementation will be both straightforward and effective.
The conference itself provided an important opportunity to build effective relationships within the prison research community and showcase innovative approaches to prison reform; however, there was much discussion about the danger of the research echo chamber, and the importance of engaging with other people with opposing views to our own. Only by opening up a wider debate around prison reform and listening to all viewpoints will we be able to truly understand the potential barriers that stand in the way of our research leading to affirmative action.
I came away from the conference having learned about the main issues affecting criminal justice, and rubbed shoulders with a diverse and inspiring range of speakers and attendees from different backgrounds and experiences. But even more importantly, I came away feeling reinvigorated as a researcher, committed to doing everything I can to make PROSPECT matter.
About Tessa Birch:
Tessa is a full time Research Assistant Psychologist working for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust at the Suicide Risk and Safety Research unit on the PROSPECT trial. She has previously worked as a Mental Health Support Worker and as a Listening Volunteer at Samaritans, as part of the Prisons team that trains and supports prison Listeners. Prior to beginning her psychology career, Tessa spent 20 years working in consumer research and strategy. Originally graduating from the University of Durham, she recently completed her MSc Psychology conversion at Leeds Beckett University.