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Spark Inside is innovatively tackling high rates of prison violence and reoffending through its The Conversation programme, which brings together prisoners and prison staff to improve empathy and understanding, benefiting relationships and wing culture, and lowering violence and reoffending.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
UK prisons are overcrowded and the prison population is growing, heightening tensions between prison staff and prisoners which are detrimental to both. Violence, assaults and self-harm are at record highs in our prisons (MoJ, 2018). Prison officers are short-staffed with high demands; they are facing burnout and increasing levels of stress and mental health conditions (POA, 2015). Without a more rehabilitative prison culture, rates of reoffending and violence will further worsen.
Solution
The Conversation focuses on creating systemic change in prison by promoting positive interactions between prisoners and prison staff. It contributes towards improving empathy and understanding, benefiting relationships and wing culture, leading to more positive prisoner behaviour and greater likelihood of rehabilitation. It is formed of three 2.5 hour workshops across 9 weeks followed by post-engagement surveys with attending prisoners and staff, facilitated by our Service Delivery Managers.
