We hosted a roundtable discussion following the launch of our Being Well Being Equal report, focusing on the wellbeing of young men in custody, and particularly highlighting the experiences of young Black men in prison.
Huge thanks to Leroy Logan MBE, Chair of T2A — Transition to Adulthood for chairing the event, where speakers included our CEO, Vicki Cardwell and HMPPS staff, Alana Ajani, Programme Director – Race Action Programme Strategy Development Group, and Lisa Short, National Young Adults Team Lead.
We are so grateful to all who attended and contributed to what was a rich, candid and honest conversation.
Some highlights from the discussion included:
- The importance of HMPPS working closely with the third sector, particularly Black-led organisations.
- Acknowledgement that reward and sanction based approaches (such as Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme) do not work for young adults (and can negatively impact on their wellbeing). However, it is challenging to develop a tailored/differential approach for young adults when the majority of young adults reside in the adult estate. HMPPS are piloting new approaches, such as young adult-only wings in establishments (such as HMP Nottingham) – to develop evidence of what works.
- There is a need to map and better understand what wellbeing initiatives are being delivered across the estate for young adults, and specifically young Black adults, and gather the evidence regarding ‘what works’.
- Young adults are not a homogenous group and as individuals often have multiple and complex needs. Although it is important that we highlight the need for a tailored and distinct approach for young adults – it is vital that any approach responds to the individual needs of young adults.
- There is a need for increased emphasis on trauma-informed approaches in work with young adults. There are lessons to be learnt from approaches being delivered within the women’s estate.
- Relationships are key to rehabilitation and trauma informed approaches. It is important to recognise that young adults may struggle to form trusted relationships due to persistent discrimination and adverse childhood experiences. It is also important to recognise that the prison workforce need support to promote their own wellbeing and develop their learning, so that they are able to form trusted relationships with young adults.
- Enabling young adults’ views to inform the development of services is vital, while recognising that tailored approaches are required to enable all young adults to share their views.
- There is more work to do with regards to gathering and scrutinising HMPPS data with regards to the outcomes and experiences of young adults and specifically young Black adults (currently only differentiated data for the young adult cohort concerns incidences of use of force).
In the Being Well Being Equal report we set out 14 calls to action to promote Being Well and Being Equal amongst young men in custody. Based on what the group highlighted as most important during the roundtable discussion, we’re planning to focus on the following four recommendations:
- We ask that HMPPS seek to further understand and map what services and interventions are currently being delivered across the prison estate to promote wellbeing, and whether they meet the distinct needs of young men and particularly young Black men. We ask that HMPPS understands what evidence exists to demonstrate the impact of these existing services and interventions on wellbeing outcomes for young men.
- We need to ensure that young Black men have the opportunity to access support and rehabilitation activities that respond to the impact of discrimination and inequality, that enable the exploration of identity within the context of race, culture, masculinity and faith, and that provides support from practitioners who they can relate to and who understand their experience.
- Key workers and prison staff involved in sentence and resettlement planning must receive training and coaching, to develop knowledge and understanding about the benefits of supporting young adults to identify their ambitions, skills and talents; develop skills in empowering young men through key work sessions, sentence and resettlement planning; and explore and challenge discriminatory attitudes towards young adults, and particularly young Black adults.
- Targeted services and innovations should be commissioned to ensure that all young men have increased opportunities to form positive relationships to support their wellbeing and rehabilitation.
We have been so encouraged by the enthusiastic response from HMPPS so far and we are excited to work on these ambitious but vital changes going forward. On 11th September 2023, the HMPPS Race Action Programme will be hosting Spark Inside for a follow up Being Well Being Equal online discussion, for prison staff across the UK, following their keen interest.
Click here to find out more about the Being Well Being Equal campaign.
