V1. Women's experiences of prison, resettlement and domestic abuse
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prison, resettlement and domestic abuse: a qualitative study to explore women's needs and experiences to enhance policy and practice.
IRAS ID
369128
Contact name
Michaela Rogers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, days
Research summary
Representing 4% of the prison population, imprisoned women have disproportionately complex and intersecting needs that are often overlooked during their time in prison as well as during planning for their post-prison resettlement. A recently published evidence review and systematic review found there to be significant gaps relating to women’s in-prison and post-prison needs being addressed in relation to domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and social care support (Rogers, Lockwood and Speak, 2023; Rogers and Lockwood, 2025).
The overall aim of the study is to understand the experiences, perspectives and needs of women who are victims/survivors of DVA on being released from prison. The study will examine the barriers and enablers to women receiving the appropriate support and social care needed after leaving prison. To address the diversity of women leaving prison, we will examine women’s individual intersecting social characteristics as well as the institutional and structural factors which may affect their resettlement.
This exploratory study will be conducted over 20 months and will adopt a multi-method qualitative research design. In WP1 we will recruit women to train as peer researchers in both qualitative methods and Photovoice. In WP2 peer researchers, along with the academic team members, will conduct focus groups at 5 sites with women exploring their experiences of DVA and prison. In WP3 semi-structured interviews will be conducted with key stakeholders such as policymakers, service providers and professionals, for example, from social care, criminal justice and women s sectors.
We will deliver open access guidance to: a) improve resettlement planning and the delivery of resettlement support for women with experience of DVA; b) to inform policy review; c) provide awareness-raising to women; and d) promote equality by centring marginalised women s voices in research, and policy and practice recommendations. The Photovoice exhibition will promote women’s narratives, experiences, perspectives and needs in relation to DVA and social care to a wide audience.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
26/WA/0159
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion