Prison Research

Amicable- IRAS: 330236

Aim: Addressing Mental health In Custody A Brief Learning Environment: AMICABLE A peer-led 6-step problem-solving intervention using an interrupted time series and integrated matched cohort study design. 

The study team will examine a toolkit to implement the PSMS in prisons, assess whether the PSMS can improve quality of life, symptoms of depression, NHS resource use and whether it reduces the number of self-harm and violent incidents. We will assess the cost-effectiveness of the PSMS and evaluate whether it makes a difference to people following release from prison using a ‘through the gate’ volunteering opportunity. 

Prison staff and prisoners will be involved in making changes and deciding how the scheme should run in their prison site. Prisoners, an ex-prisoner, and an external service user group will tell people about their involvement in the study. 

Requirements: Researchers from the Universities of York and Leeds will collaborate with an ex-prisoner representative, a prison service lead, the prison radio association, a third sector organization, one social enterprise, one private healthcare provider, one NHS Trust and multiple prison sites.