Prisons are complex environments often characterised by trauma, inequality, poor health literacy, and mistrust of services. In response, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT), Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS), Prison Healthcare Service, and community partners co-produced the ASK HIM (Health Information Mentor) Network with men in custody to improve access to healthcare and promote wellbeing.
The programme was shaped through 107 interviews with people entering custody, which identified timely access to medication and clear healthcare information as key priorities. ASK HIM mentors are trained peer health information mentors who support new arrivals, provide trusted health information, signpost services, and identify unmet needs. Mentors also co-design and deliver induction sessions, health campaigns, and wellbeing programmes, while contributing to ongoing service improvement through daily data collection and feedback.
The network has demonstrated significant impact, with over 15,000 mentor engagements recorded, more than 400 referrals generated per month during 2025, a 50% reduction in healthcare-related complaints, and improved wellbeing outcomes. Early findings also indicate substantially lower reoffending rates among mentors compared with the wider prison population.
The workshop will explore how partnership working, co-production, and lived experience have driven sustainable improvements across all Northern Ireland prisons. It will also highlight the expanding role of peer mentoring in education, skills development, and rehabilitation, supporting mentors to develop communication, leadership, and employability skills. Former mentors will share their experiences, demonstrating the personal and system-wide benefits of the programme, which recently received a BMJ IHI Global Health Improvement Award.
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Ruth Gray
Assistant Director in Quality Improvement and Innovation, SEHSCT, Northern Ireland
Dr Ruth Gray is Assistant Director for Quality Improvement and Innovation in SEHSCT. Ruth has 20 years’ experience in healthcare in prison as the clinical lead for prison dentistry and leading the public health and health engagement work. Ruth’s focus is applying population health and coproduction principles to healthcare provision. She is part of a collective leading the Ask HIM Peer Mentor network across the Northern Ireland Prisons, creating social capital through lived experience of those living in community. Ruth sits on the European Federation of Prison Health and previously on the WHO Health in Prison Programme.
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Barry Rooney
Health Engagement Lead, Healthcare in Prison, SEHSCT, Northern Ireland
Barry Rooney - Health Engagement Lead (HIP) has over 20 years work in Community Engagement and Health improvement, has worked in prison for 10 years and has been part of numerous health and wellbeing initiatives establishing coproduction at the heart of the Healthcare in Prison work. Barry has led the Ask HIM Network and developed the programme closely with the people in custody. Barry is a specialist in Quality Improvement and has an MSc in Business Improvement.
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Rebekah Phelan
Enterprise and Employability Tutor, Belfast Met, Northern Ireland
Rebekah Phelan began her career as a committed Youth Support Worker, developing strong expertise in providing practical support, guidance, and advocacy to young people facing a range of challenges. Her compassionate and person-centred approach enabled her to build trust quickly, empowering individuals to make positive choices and progress towards their goals. This early experience laid a solid foundation in communication, resilience, and understanding the complex barriers many individuals face.
Following a short period in hospitality management, where she strengthened her leadership and organisational skills in a fast-paced environment, Rebekah transitioned into prison education. Now working as an Enterprise and Employability Tutor, she is passionate about equipping learners with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed for successful reintegration into society. Through promoting enterprise, employability, and personal development, she is dedicated to helping individuals unlock their potential and build sustainable futures.
