Prevention of suicide behaviour in prison (work packages 3 and 4)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The prevention of suicide behaviour in prison: enhancing access to therapy (PROSPECT) programme (work packages 3 and 4)
IRAS ID
274976
Contact name
Daniel Pratt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN 14056534
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The rate of suicide in prisons in the UK has doubled in the last ten years and represents a significant problem. Cognitive Behavioural Suicide Prevention (CBSP) is a psychological intervention that aims to address suicidal behaviour. In a small trial of CBSP, the therapy group was found to have engaged in fewer suicidal behaviours compared to controls. However, the study could not provide any definitive comment on efficacy. The pilot trial found that many participants in the treatment arm required substantial ‘pre-intervention support’ in order for the necessary open, warm therapeutic relationship to develop. The need for further modification to the standard delivery of CBSP therapy was identified. These modifications, including ‘pre-intervention support’ were addressed in the first two work packages of the research programme (submitted under IRAS ID: 266858) to produce the Prospect Programme.
This application represents the next phase of the research programme and involves assessing the clinical and cost effectiveness of the new PROSPECT programme in a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). This application covers work packages 3 and 4.Work package 3:
We will conduct an RCT in four UK prisons, recruiting 360 participants who are currently detained in prison and are feeling suicidal. We will assess participants at baseline and then again six months later. After baseline assessments, half will be randomised to receive the PROSPECT programme plus treatment as usual and the other half will receive treatment as usual. We will then compare the two groups to determine whether the intervention was clinically and cost effective. The study will take 27 months to complete.Work package 4:
Alongside the RCT, we will conduct a process evaluation to assess the extent to which the intervention was delivered to participants in the PROSPECT programme group and to enhance our understanding of how the intervention worked.REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
21/WA/0273
Date of REC Opinion
28 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion