Developing a Methodology for Surveying Prisoners

Therapeutic Solutions has led on a number health needs assessments and related studies in custodial settings. We have recently completed a full range of health needs assessments for NHS England across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. This block of work has comprised over 12 studies including an Immigration Removal Centre. We have also recently completed a range of health needs assessments across the East of England region including a study in HMP Warren Hill, one of the country’s two ‘progression’ regimes.

The methodology we have developed has included:

• Critical reviews of the available literature
• Remodelling of general population data to create age-standardised point prevalence estimates for each prison
• Secondary epidemiological analysis of data including some modelling of demand (e.g. compared prisoners at reception and near to release)
• Developed auditing of practice across two prisons (HMPYOI Cookham Wood and HMP Bronzefield)
• Over 100 in-depth staff interviews using semi-structured interview schedules
• 50 prisoner interviews including where possible enhanced qualitative analysis
• Over 500 prisoners surveyed
• 100 staff surveyed using the Survey of Organisational Functioning

Case Study:

We have developed with Public Health England a bespoke prisoner survey that examines the perceptions of prisoners in some detail. The survey examines:

• perceptions of reception screening and assessment
• the range and availability of healthcare services offered
• healthcare environment and resettlement/post-release needs was implemented

The survey has demonstrated the range of prisoner perceptions including the variability of prisoner satisfaction rates across a number of prisons. We have been able to identify gaps in provision at entry and at the point of release as a result of implementing the survey.