Project details

Summary

What is the study about? What are you trying to find out?

We are trying to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of people in prison through a new Problem Support Mentor Scheme. To do this, we need to understand how people in prison feel at the moment, and speak to people involved in the scheme to understand their views on it, how well (or not) it has worked, any impact it has had, and further information about how it has been run in the prison. 

What does taking part involve?

People living in prison: 

• Read the participant information sheet about the research study and ask any questions you may have 
• We also ask for your permission for members of staff involved in the research project to access your prison and healthcare records to help us evaluate the scheme. This is voluntary; you do not have to give us permission if you do not want to. We will keep these records safe and secure
• Fill in the survey. It asks questions about you and your mental health and wellbeing. If you do not want to answer a particular question, that is okay. The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete

For mentors & peers:

We would like you to take part in an interview to help us to understand more about your thoughts on the Problem Support Mentor Scheme. The interview will take approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. The interview is like having a conversation with the researcher, but we will be talking about your experiences of using the problem-solving skills you have learnt whilst in prison. 

For mentors: 

We will observe some of the work you do and ask you to record some brief information about the people who you help. We would like you to attend fortnightly supervision sessions to discuss your experiences of being a Problem Support Mentor, and you will be asked to provide your views about the project and fill in some questionnaires. We would also like to access your prison and healthcare records to help us evaluate the scheme, for example, to help us identify if you were to return to custody after release.

For prison staff: 

We would like you to take part in an interview to help us to understand more about your thoughts on the Problem Support Mentor Scheme. A date and time for the interview to take place will be arranged by yourself and the researcher. The interview will take approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. The interview is like having a conversation with the researcher, but we will be talking about your thoughts and experiences of the implementation of the Problem Support Mentor Scheme at the prison in which you work.

Who is it for?

Researchers will conduct the study in collaboration with an ex-service user co-applicant, a prison service lead, the prison radio association, third sector organisations, one NHS trust, four intervention prisons and a community ex-service user group. 

We are approaching:

• everyone who is well enough in prison if they want to take part in the study
• prisoners who have attended a pre-workshop and expressed interest in becoming a Problem Support Mentor.
• people who have had some involvement with the Problem Support Mentor Scheme, through either being a mentor or a peer.
• staff members who have had some involvement in the implementation of the Problem Support Mentor Scheme.

Taking part in the study is voluntary and if you do decide not to take part, this will not impact your legal rights, use of services, or future healthcare in any way.

Why is it important? 

We hope the results of this study will help improve the mental health and wellbeing of people in prison through a new Problem Support Mentor Scheme.

How can I find out more?

You can find out more information about taking part in this study by downloading the key documents at the top of this page.

If you are interested in taking part in this study, or have questions for the research team, click the button below to email us:

Email the research team