Working in a prison is a unique experience. The environment presents challenges and rewards to those who work within it. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss a new model of workplace wellbeing which focuses on prison related working environments. The Humanisation of Workplace Wellbeing (HoWW) model considers the experiences of the person (our model was initially based on interviews with 63 Prison Governors/Managers) and what drives their wellbeing. The HoWW model focuses on the environment the person is working in, exploring the lived experience of the workplace and three interlinked core concepts: how ‘power’ is operating in the environment, the workplace ‘culture’ the person is working in, and the ‘relationships’ that they hold with others in that environment. The core concepts in this environment can be affected, either positively or negatively, by a ‘disruption’ factor. The model then considers how people make sense of their environment (‘interpretation and meaning making’) and how this results in their ‘state of wellbeing’. Influencing factors which impact on these processes help us consider interventions which could promote better health and wellbeing. This presentation will engage the audience by asking them to consider their own experiences of prison working environments in relation to the HoWW model and promote sharing examples of good practice. Discussions will explore the importance of healthy and motivated staff not only for them, but for people who are in prison and how this can positively impact on rehabilitation efforts through positive relationships, rehabilitative culture, and empowerment of individuals.
Moderated by Bernie Warner, Secretary of Corrections, Washington (retired), United States
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Rachael Mason
Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln
Rachael Mason is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Care Sciences at the University of Lincoln. Her undergraduate degree is in Psychology and Criminology and her master’s degree is in Forensic Psychology. She is due to submit her PhD thesis on humanising the health and wellbeing experiences of people working and people detained in prison, with this being a primary area of focus for her research. Rachael has worked for His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service delivering accredited Offending Behaviour Programmes for substance use. Following this, Rachael worked in a residential housing project as a Duty Officer and Training Co-ordinator, supporting young people aged 16-25 years old to develop life skills and help them prepare to live independently. Rachael’s main research interests include the health and wellbeing of people in the criminal justice system and issues related to substance use.
