The opening article is by Lord Farmer, author of the influential report The Importance of Strengthening Prisoners’ Family Ties to Prevent Reoffending and Reduce Intergenerational Crime, published in 2017. In this, Lord Farmer described that family ties should be a ‘golden thread’ than runs all the way through prison processes. The article in this edition is based upon a lecture delivered at the therapeutic community prison, HMP Grendon, in 2018. The article develops the idea of family ties within the context of psychotherapy, arguing that there is significant overlap in the principles and that there can be a reinforcing relationship.
In 2016, the Inspectorate of Prisons published a report on indeterminate sentences for public protection, entitled Unintended consequences. In their article, Dr. Harry Annison from University of Southampton and Rachel Condry, from University of Oxford, report on the impact of indeterminate sentences of the families of prisoners. They catalogue some of the unintended consequences on family members. Their analysis shows the parallel sentence experienced by families and how their lives are shaped by interactions with prisons, probation, parole board, and even after release the anxiety of potential recall looms over family life. They also draw out some of the consequences on the material conditions, relationships and health of family members. This article is an important contribution to the research on families and exploring the ongoing, even if unintended, consequences of the indeterminate sentence for public protection.
The next two articles consider how prisoners and prison staff approach both the start and end of life. Dr. Laura Abbott from the University of Hertfordshire reports her research on the experience of pregnancy and birth, particularly focussing on escorts to hospital. Some major themes emerge. One is about the use of restraints, questioning the necessity in many cases and its potential harmfulness for the pregnant woman. The second theme is around the impact that staff can have, for good or bad, in the pregnancy and birth. Those who showed a particularly maternal approach could make a positive difference. Finally, the distressing experience of mothers being separated from their child at birth is discussed. Although this is rare, Abbott suggests that support arrangements are often ad hoc and are not adequate for the needs of mothers and those who work with them. In relation to the end of life, Carol Robinson from University of York, examines the use of restraints on terminally ill prisoners. This is a growing issue, with almost 200 people dying of natural causes in English and Welsh prisons in 2017, and almost two out of three of those people died in a hospital, care home or hospice. The article explores the prison service instructions, Prison and Probation Ombudsman recommendations, and legal cases in order to provide a fuller picture of the regulatory framework. One observation that Robinson makes is that it is actually High Security Prisons that have better practice than other prisons, offering a model for improved practice elsewhere in the prison system.
This edition also includes an article by distinguished prison governor, Lynn Saunders. She has worked at HMP Whatton for a decade and led an establishment that has become widely recognised for its expertise in the working with men who have committed sexual offences. The establishment has also developed innovative practice with older prisons, disabled people and in nurturing a rehabilitative culture. In her article, Saunders provides an overview of some of the work of the establishment and the challenges this presents. This article is based on a lecture she delivered at the 2018 Perrie Lectures. PSJ has a long standing collaboration with the Perrie Lectures and are delighted to continue this tradition.
The final substantive article is a study by Peter Vedel Kessing and Lisbeth Garly Andersen of the Danish Institute of Human Rights, exploring the implementation of procedures for identifying and reporting individuals who may be radicalised in prison. The article draws out the complexity of getting the reporting right. Under-reporting can lead to opportunities being missed to prevent violent extremism, but over reporting can be counterproductive and indeed increase alienation and radicalisation.
As ever, it is intended that Prison Service Journal will offer a range of research and perspectives that encourage readers to reflect upon theory and practice, and to question not only how things are done but why, to what ends, and with what consequences
