The operation of prisons, the relationships within them, and the activities that occur in this setting have significant implications for both people in prison and staff, as well as the broader public. The culture within a prison can greatly influence outcomes, with more positive and rehabilitative cultures being associated with reduced violence, self-harm, substance misuse, and reoffending, alongside improved wellbeing, professionalism, staff retention, and recruitment. Research in the prisons of England and Wales has advanced our understanding of everyday prison culture, highlighting key features that contribute to a 'good' prison environment. However, there is limited research on how to achieve culture change in prisons.
This presentation will provide an overview of recent research aimed at understanding culture change within prison settings. It will include findings from a study conducted in an English prison that identified the conditions and mechanisms enabling culture change (Fitzalan Howard, Gibson & Wakeling, 2023). Additionally, the presentation will discuss research from two other prisons that employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to develop prison culture.
Drawing on this research and broader evidence on organisational change and human behaviour, the presentation will offer several evidence-based tips for implementing culture change in prisons.
×
Flora Fitzalan Howard
Managing partner, KTA Research and Consulting LLP, United Kingdom
Flora Fitzalan Howard is a HCPC Registered Forensic Psychologist and Evidence-Based Practice specialist. Before co-founding KTA Research and Consulting, Flora worked for HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) for 20 years, starting out as a clinician in prisons working with men convicted of sexual and violent crimes. Flora spent the last ten years as an Evidence Lead in the Evidence-Based Practice Team within HMPPS, supporting prisons, probation, youth custody, and HMPPS Headquarters to embed evidence into frontline practice. Within this role Flora has conducted a series of original and robust research studies to build the evidence base and acted as a consultant in areas including how to develop healthy prison cultures, how to develop the rehabilitative potential of processes/practices, and how to improve prison safety, wellbeing outcomes, and positive relationships between staff and prisoners. Flora led HMPPS’s programme of work to develop procedural justice, including through conducting national robust research with prisoners, probationers, and prison staff to measure and understand the importance of such perceptions in these settings, through training and mentoring staff, and by informing policy and practice changes across the organisation. Recently, Flora has specialised in in-depth case studies of prison cultures exploring mechanisms of change. Using participatory action research methodology Flora has collaborated directly with prison staff and prisoners to design and conduct research that aims to improve prison culture.
×
Helen Wakeling
Managing partner, KTA Research and Consulting LLP, United Kingdom
Dr Helen Wakeling is a Chartered Research Psychologist, and Evidence-Based Practice specialist who is now a founding partner at KTA Research and Consulting. Prior to KTA, Helen worked for HM Prison and Probation Service for over 22 years. For the first 14 years she worked within Interventions Services, where she specialised in research into sexual offending and risk assessment. Helen then spent eight years as an Evidence Lead in the Evidence-Based Practice Team within HMPPS, supporting prisons, probation, youth custody, and HMPPS Headquarters to embed evidence into frontline practice. Within this role Helen has conducted a series of original and robust research studies to build the evidence base and acted as a consultant in areas including how to develop healthy prison cultures, how to measure and develop procedural justice practices for both staff and people living in prison, how to improve prison safety and develop positive relationships in prisons. Recently, Helen has specialised in in-depth case studies of prison cultures exploring mechanisms of change, including their impact on substance misuse, staff performance and wellbeing, and effective communication. Using participatory action research methodology Helen has collaborated directly with prison staff to design and conduct research that aims to improve prison culture.
