Problem solving intervention in prisons
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing the feasibility of implementing and evaluating a new problem solving model for prisoners at risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviour in prisons.
IRAS ID
110867
Contact name
Amanda Perry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Problem solving interventions in the community have shown some success in reducing self harm and suicidal behaviour but to our knowledge such an intervention has not been tested in prisons. For this reason, our study will assess the feasibility of implementing a problem solving intervention in four prisons in the North of England. The findings of this study will be used to determine the feasibility of a large scale evaluation of the intervention.
The intervention involves training [1] all prison wing staff in the general principles of problem solving techniques, and [2] certain staff in how to implement new problem solving skills with patients (prisoners at risk of self harm and suicide behaviour). We will evaluate the feasibility of our methodology and collect data using self report questionnaires, electronic data provided by the prisons and conduct an economic review and qualitative analysis which will inform the large scale evaluation. The evaluation will test out the feasibility of a four month follow-up of patients once released from prison.
Prisoners will be involved throughout the project and an advisory group each prison will feed into each steering group meeting. Prisoners will inform the design and implementation of the project and will provide feedback on our information sheets and consent forms. Additionally they will comment on the appropriateness of questions for our semi-structured interviews and will contribute to the identification of themes of interest emerging from the interviews. The findings of our research will be disseminated through prisoners, the Samaritans and academic publications.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2000
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion