A participatory action research methodology in the management of self-harm in prison

Abstract

Background

Self-harm in custody is a well-researched phenomenon. This is particularly true for women in prison who demonstrate disproportionately high rates of self-harm. Despite the growing body of prison research, there has been a lack of service user involvement (SUI).

Aims

To outline the first use of SUI in a custodial setting in developing care pathways for self-harm.

Methodology

A participatory action research approach was used to engage women prisoners and staff.

Results

Participants were able to identify strengths and weaknesses of current care pathways and offer suggestions for service development based upon their experience of receiving and delivering care.

Conclusion

The authors conclude that despite participatory approaches being in their infancy in prisons the engagement of service users when aimed at effecting positive change can be successful.

Keywords:

• forensic mental health
• self-harm
• service user involvement
• participatory action research

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the work and assistance of the participants whose continuing enthusiasm to contribute to change is very much appreciated.

Declaration of Interest: James Ward is independent of the funding organisations and as principle investigator has had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

This work has been funded by the NEOHCU and the Economic and Social Research Council. This research is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the North East Offender Health Commissioning Unit (NEOHCU) and Durham University with the collaboration of the Ministry of Justice and Department of Health.