The experiences of adult male prisoners who do not receive visits
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prisoners in Seclusion: A study into the experiences of men in prison who do not receive visits from family or friends.
IRAS ID
335347
Contact name
Dean Burns
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This research seeks to explore the experiences of adult male prisoners in Northern Ireland who do not receive visits from family or friends whilst incarcerated. In Northern Ireland, prisoners may maintain ties with family via letters, phone calls, video calls, or face to face visits, however not all prisoners can or do get visits.
While existing research has shown the value of visits in enhancing the mental well-being of prisoners, aiding their reintegration into society, and lowering the rates of reoffending, little attention has been paid to the experiences of those in prison who do not receive visits during their sentence. Provided men constitute the majority of the prison population in Northern Ireland (96%), the utilisation of a single-sex sample of prisoners will enable a more specific and detailed focus, that acknowledges gendered experiences of prison. The research will also involve gathering the perspectives of others within the system including prison and education staff, chaplains and non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives. As the two largest prisons in the country that hold adult men serving longer sentences, participants will be recruited from HMPs Maghaberry and Magilligan.
Research aims:
1) To investigate the needs, experiences, and attitudes of men who do not receive visits in prison.
2) To investigate the factors that influence why prisoners do not receive visits, or choose not to receive visits.
3) To understand how the absence of visits impacts on how prisoners experience imprisonment.
4) To understand how the absence of prison visits affects the wellbeing of prisoners.
5) To assess what support is available to prisoners who do not receive visits, and the effectiveness of this support.
6) To investigate how the lack of visits from family or friends impacts upon prisoners’ prospects for reintegration into society upon release from prison.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
24/NI/0108
Date of REC Opinion
3 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion