It’s Prisoners Talking to Prisoners’: A Qualitative Exploration of Peer-Led Mental Health Advocacy in Prison

CRS2025 Presentation by Alison O'Dwyer and Dr Sarah-Jane Winders (CRS2025-PID043)

Authors

Alison O'Dwyer

Assistant Psychologist, Irish Prison Service, Psychology Service, Ireland

Alison is an Assistant Psychologist in the Irish Prison Service. Alison was recently awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from South East Technological University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology through the University of Limerick. Alison also has previous experience as a research assistant. Despite being in the early stages of her career, Alison has a keen interest in forensic psychology and exploring novel ways to integrate peer support with mental health management and education within the prisons. Alison’s clinical and research experience has allowed her to develop innovative mental health initiatives and provide scientific feedback to inform evidence based best practice to service providers.

Dr Sarah-Jane Winders

Senior Clinical Psychologist, Irish Prison Service, Ireland

Sarah-Jane is a Senior Clinical Psychologist in the Irish Prison Service. She was awarded her PhD in Clinical Psychology from University College Dublin and her doctoral research was on trauma, self-compassion, and severe and enduring mental health difficulties. Before joining the Irish Prison Service, Sarah-Jane worked in Adult Mental Health and a Residential Addiction Treatment Centre. She has worked on a number of large-scale research projects and has published on the areas of trauma and PTSD, resilience, and person-centred health care commissioning. She received her BA (Hons) in Philosophy, HDip in Psychology, MPhil in Psychoanalytic Studies, and MSc in Applied Psychology from the Trinity College Dublin. She received her MA in Cognitive Science from University College Dublin.

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