Self-harm and the Prison Environment Mixed Methods Study

Launched by KING'S COLLEGE LONDON · Mar 25, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how the environment inside prisons can affect self-harming behavior among both men and women. Self-harm is a significant issue in UK prisons, and understanding the factors related to the prison setting—like living arrangements, daily activities, and interactions with staff and other prisoners—can help improve care and support for those at risk. By interviewing and observing a group of prisoners over 12 weeks, researchers hope to identify which specific aspects of the prison environment are linked to self-harm. They will also gather opinions from prisoners and staff to better understand these findings.

If you're a new prisoner and meet certain criteria, you may be eligible to participate in this study. To take part, you must be entering prison for the first time and able to give informed consent. Participants can expect to complete some assessments and share their experiences in focus groups or interviews. This research aims to create better strategies that could ultimately reduce self-harm incidents in prisons, making the environment safer for everyone.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • - New entrants to prison
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Expected release/transfer date less than 12 weeks from date of entry
• • Lack capacity to give informed consent
• • Insufficient spoken English skills to participate
• • Assessed persistently as not safe to be seen face to face due to imminent high risk of violence.
• • Risk of psychological harm from participation more than minimal (based on risk assessment with prison's Safer Custody and mental health teams)