Improving the delivery of psychological therapy within a male high-security prison: A qualitative enquiry

This chapter presents a work that is conducted as part of a larger feasibility trial regarding researching the implementation of Psychological therapy for suicidal prisoners. The feasibility study was an initial qualitative work package that planned to examine with prisoners and prison staff how best to implement the therapy within the prison, whilst the evaluation study was to collect preliminary data on the potential efficacy of the therapy for suicidal prisoners. The design was reviewed as part of the grant application and feedback specifically mentioned the merits of the qualitative design. A highly competent researcher was employed and trained to conduct the qualitative research. Within a prison setting where research participants are within a closed society, the power of key individuals to generate uniform rejection behaviours is much stronger. A major issue discussed focused on recruitment of participants and how best practice could be developed to ensure targets could be met.