Addressing Challenges and Solutions in Prisons Post-COVID: Insights from Inmates

The user voice sheds light on issues faced by prisoners coming out of the pandemic, including decreased mental well-being, lack of purposeful activities, restricted visits, and inadequate rehabilitation opportunities. Solutions are needed to support inmates in their transition back to society.

• Prisons
• Inmates
• COVID-19
• Rehabilitation
• Mental Health

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1. PRISON COMING OUT OF COVID SOLUTIONS FROM THE USER VOICE #ComingOutOfCovid

2. We spoke to over 10,000 prisoners since the pandemic began in March 2020 0800 number Face-to-face Virtual meetings Email

3. Regime THE ISSUES Purposeful Activity Visits

4. REGIME How residents felt in comparison to before the lockdown Being behind the door for so long is affecting my mental health Felt more isolated Felt more frustrated Not being able to socialise with people leads me to overthink so I go into depression mode 87% 83% We asked residents how they felt in comparison to before the lockdown We weren t treated as humans. It took people s dignity away. I lost myself, my voice, lost me as a person Felt more stressed Felt more worried There is not enough time out of your cell to shower, clean your pad and use the kiosk 63% 80%

5. VISITS Additional 5 credit offered in some prisons 27% Purple visits didn t always work or families were unable to use the technology said that friends/family were their best mental health support When visits in place social distancing prevented residents from hugging loved ones I am not able to see my children, my family, I need help, I m going mentally mad You cannot see your family and friends, and when my family books they can t get hold of the prison staff to answer the phone

6. PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY No employment and only being paid 1 per person mental health is my main issue because there is no education or work to keep my mind occupied and no communication from staff Not doing rehabilitative courses to progress and change Some feel like they are left to rot with no courses or opportunities Not being able to progress in accordance with my sentence plan e.g. the unavailability of horizon programme is unduly affecting my progression to a cat d classification No way to progress with sentence plan, i.e. no courses available. Detrimental to prisoners - unable to achieve parole

7. PRISON COMING OUT OF COVID SOLUTIONS FROM THE USER VOICE #ComingOutOfCovid

9. PUT POWER IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT IF PEER LED INITIATIVES WERE INVESTED IN, SERVICES WOULDN T HAVE STOPPED DURING COVID

10. Peer training and education to progress with rehabilitation Peer led self-help groups/one-to-one support for mental health fallout Needs to be a priority Prisons need to facilitate and support it Provide safe spaces where it can take place Certified and effective training from qualified individuals Train the trainer allows prisoners to train others Confidential safe private space Intensive training Supported by prison, prisoners and outside organisations Recognised qualification

11. IN-CELL TECH IS VITAL FOR MAINTAINING FAMILY TIES, PROGRESSING WITH SENTENCE PLANS AND REHABILITATION Incentives - Keep purple visits for enhanced prisoners Access to online support and learning INVEST IN IN- CELL TECHNOLOGY

12. Need to involve prisoners in any decisions and plans made about recovery or Coming Out of Covid Prisoner Participation Vaccine uptake will be important to help get prisoners get out of lockdown and prevent future lockdowns. We know that there are a percentage of prisoners that don t want to take the vaccine Through service user participation we can understand the reasons for this, whether lack of knowledge or fears around safety Prisoner designed educational campaign

13. Policy PARTNERSHIP AT ALL LEVELS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Procurement Service design Service evaluation