Prisons must recognise the impact of childhood trauma

Specialised support that recognises the trauma that most people in prison have experienced is critical to improving mental health and rehabilitation in the justice system, according to a new report published today by Pact and Centre for Mental Health

The report evaluates the Dealt an ACE project delivered by Pact (the Prison Advice and Care Trust) to support young men in prison who have experienced significant trauma. The project offered a programme of individual support and took place at HMP Brinsford Young Offenders Institute in Staffordshire over three years, funded by a group of donors and ending in May this year.

Poor mental health is the norm, not the exception, among people in prison. They often carry deep psychological wounds, rooted in adversity and trauma. As well as supporting better mental health, dealing with childhood trauma also supports rehabilitation, as it helps to tackle the root causes of the behaviour that leads people to become caught up in the criminal justice system.

Studies show that up to 90% of young people who have a conviction have experienced highly stressful, and potentially traumatic, events during childhood, known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). They are significantly more likely than their peers to have experienced four or more of these events, putting their mental health at a far higher risk.

Pact’s Dealt an ACE project offers promising evidence that it can make a positive difference in the lives of young men in custody. The evaluation found that the young men who took part in the project:

• Felt more resilient and empowered
• Were able to cope more effectively with the symptoms of trauma
• Experienced increased self-esteem.

The research also found that the project raised awareness among prison staff about the prevalence and impact of trauma in childhood on people’s mental health.

The report recommends that His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the NHS should prioritise trauma-informed work in prisons to improve mental health. They should embed trauma awareness by developing a programme of trauma-informed training for all those working in prison. They should also improve access to therapies and peer-support within prisons and support people with their transition on release.

Andy Bell, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health, said: “Traumatic experiences are the norm among people in prison. For many, being imprisoned makes this worse. Pact’s Dealt an ACE scheme provided support that mitigated people’s traumas, giving them a better chance of improved mental health. This should become a routine part of prison life, not a one-off project.”

Andy Keen-Downs, Chief Executive of Pact, said: “This project has shown that, when we take a trauma-informed approach, we can transform lives. By recognising the deep impact of childhood adversity and offering tailored support, we give people in prison a genuine chance to make a fresh start.

“In recent years, the prison service has acknowledged the benefits of this approach and has sought to adopt more trauma-informed practice. We hope that this research will give further impetus to this work as part of efforts to deliver safer, healthier prisons that are places of rehabilitation.”

The project's funders were:

Barrow Cadbury Trust
The Edward and Dorothy Cadbury Charitable Trust
The Eveson Trust
Grantham Yorke Trust
Michael Marsh Charitable Trust
Sir Halley Stewart Trust
The Rayne Foundation

ENDS