Work

‘ Strengthen Them Inside ’: Supporting prison staff wellbeing in England through creative writing

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Prison staff experience multiple stressors in the course of their working lives and existing literature consistently emphasises the negative wellbeing implications of prison work. There is a gap in existing research regarding the types of wellbeing support that are appropriate and positively impactful for this occupational group. This article presents original findings following the delivery of an innovative wellbeing activity across two prisons in England which involved groups of prison staff engaging in an 8-week creative writing course. The activity brought together prisoner-facing and support staff resulting in an important opportunity to collaborate, reflect and enhance role appreciation. The core benefits of the course were improvements in personal and professional wellbeing and an opportunity to ‘detox’ negative prison working cultures.

Source: Incarceration

DOI: 10.1177/26326663241310334

Authors: Helen Nichols, Josephine Metcalf, Fiona Earle, Léa Fréour

Institution: University of Hull

Language: English

Topic: Stress and Burnout Research

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400