Our systems coaching programme, The Conversation, uses Deep Democracy techniques to bring together large groups of prison staff and residents in dialogue.
By focusing on interactions, rather than individual behaviour, it aims to enhance relationships, improve empathy, and support a more positive and rehabilitative culture on the prison wings.
We recently concluded a second pilot of The Conversation at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, which explored with those living and working on the Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) wing what could collectively be done to improve its conditions.
Tom Currie, our Head of Impact and Innovation, has led this work, alongside Service Delivery Manager Sophie, with facilitation support from coaches Luke Kingston and Katharine Yates.
The final session, taking place in the midst of London’s heat wave, saw six men resident on the wing and six staff members come together.
It opened with a debate to allow the issues aired across two previous sessions into the room, offering all involved the chance to connect with the ‘journey of resilience’ the group has been on. After an overview of previous sessions and how they had progressed, the room was reminded this would be their last formal meeting together, and challenged to consider: “What needs to happen now?”
The space closed with a round of commitments, including reinstating lost privileges, staff exploring budget for other plans, and proposals for increased activities, prisoner-led offers, and improved internal communications.
Our development of this programme continues, with a third pilot now progressing at HMP Isis, and we look forward to sharing more formal evaluation of this work in the future.
Katharine shared:
“I witnessed a community of people genuinely willing to listen to one another and be changed by what they heard.”
A man living on the wing said:
“We are all in this together. The wing should be a nice place to live and work. I feel reassured being in this room because I haven’t been able to discuss things with other people. It’s nice to come here and discuss things with people who are on the same page as me. It makes me feel safer.”
The Deputy Governor present shared:
“…The commonality of purpose is really clear. Staff and prisoners are speaking as one voice”
Another man living on the wing shared:
“Rome was not built in a day, but I am hopeful. This was very constructive, hearing everyone’s views. Let’s keep the ball rolling.”
