In recent years, a range of interventions has emerged to address the stigma experienced by people with lived experience of incarceration (PLEIC). These interventions vary in approach, from myth-busting campaigns to sharing personal testimonies. However, prior reviews have noted a lack of rigorous research, particularly for PLEIC with co-occurring substance use or mental health conditions. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of anti-stigma interventions targeting PLEIC, synthesising findings from 16 studies involving 8,815 participants across five countries. The review found that interventions significantly improved knowledge and attitudes toward PLEIC, with myth-busting components proving especially impactful. Both online and face-to-face formats were effective, offering insight into how context and delivery method influence outcomes.

Despite these promising results, no studies from low- or middle-income countries were identified, and few examined long-term behavioural change. This highlights a critical gap in evidence and underscores the need for more robust study designs with extended follow-up periods. The findings suggest that while anti-stigma interventions can shift knowledge and attitudes, their effect on behaviour remains limited. Policymakers are encouraged to incorporate myth-busting elements into anti-stigma initiatives and to ensure interventions are culturally and contextually tailored. Future research should prioritise standardised approaches and assess long-term effectiveness, particularly among underrepresented groups such as women, young people, and populations in low- and middle-income countries.

 

Moderated by Luke Grant, Deputy Commissioner, Corrective Services New South Wales, Australia