HM Prison and Probation Service

In this compelling interview, lived experience consultant Sosa Henkoma (SH) shares his journey through the criminal justice system from childhood exploitation to adult rehabilitation. He reflects on the critical role probation services can play in supporting adult survivors of child exploitation. Speaking candidly with Ann Snowden (AS), SH offers insights into how trauma-informed practice, relational engagement, and the prioritisation of safety, as well as rehabilitation, can transform lives. His testimony underscores the importance of listening to those with lived experience and challenges professionals to rethink how they approach vulnerability and risk.

Purpose This paper aims to reflect on the function of food refusals in prisons. Previous rapid evidence assessment (Adlam and Powell, 2023) has indicated that literature has lacked robustness, and includes just one study based in the UK which is outdated. The paper also considers the role of mental health and how it may link to prisoners’ refusing food. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative descriptive design in which 16 safety case reviews were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The themes generated were subjected to an inter-rater reliability exercise for which a registered forensic psychologist was recruited. Findings Thematic analysis of the data resulted in four overarching themes: psychological state, coping, achieving a means to an end, and to end life. Psychological state included sub themes of mental health, cognitive rigidity and personality disorder. Achieving a means to an end included sub themes of protesting and achieving a goal. Practical implications The safety case review (SCR) is a standard psychology safety consultancy product in HMPPS which involves prisons making referrals to local psychology teams to complete them on specific prisoners. Given the wealth of information revealed whilst undertaking this research, it would be of beneficial for prisons to consider referring more food refusal cases for an SCR. Information from the case formulation process will continue to offer insights as to the prevalence and function of the behaviour in prisons over time. This study highlighted that future research may also consider the links between indeterminate sentence prisoners and food refusal as well as the links between personality disorder and food refusal. Originality/value There is limited research on food refusal in prisons in the UK, and hence this study makes an important contribution to developing the evidence base. The majority of these studies have occurred in other countries and lack robustness as well as being outdated.

ABSTRACTLocal Ecological Knowledge (LEK) is central to biodiversity conservation and public health, particularly in regions where human–snake interactions are frequent. In Sudan, snakes hold complex cultural meanings: valued as rodent predators, feared for venom, and linked to spiritual beliefs. To document LEK and attitudes toward snakes, we conducted a validated Arabic language online survey (n = 192) across 16 states (Feb–Apr 2025). Results indicated that encounters with snakes were most common during the rainy season (n = 129, 53%), especially in agricultural areas (n = 72, 38%), with the genus Naja (33%) and Echis (25%) most frequently reported. Identification of snakes by community members relied on coloration, and 32% of respondents could not distinguish venomous from nonvenomous species. Conservation attitudes regarding snakes were polarized, with similar proportions strongly supportive of (31%) and 29% opposed to snake conservation; yet 95% endorsed integrating LEK with science to promote coexistence. Despite this, 65% of respondents reported killing snakes regardless of venom status. Beliefs commonly described snakes as jinn (i.e., demons) (47%) or avengers (25%). Reported treatments included incision and suction (31%), use of diverse treatments (29%), fang extraction was reported by 14% of respondents, and in nearly all of these cases the “fangs” was extracted using plant poultices, except for one report where frogs were used instead. 5% reported use of a venom stone, no knowledge of treatments (19%) and rare access to antivenom. In conclusion, perceptions of snakes are shaped by a complex interplay of ecological observations, cultural beliefs, and practical health responses. Conservation and public health strategies should integrate LEK with scientific knowledge, strengthen evidence‐based snakebite management, and tailor conservation and health interventions to regional contexts.

Purpose Violence remains a significant concern within youth custodial settings, despite policy frameworks intended to reduce it. This paper aims to explore a collaborative project in one young offender institution (YOI) aimed at re-mapping existing violence prevention systems to develop a new structured model that addresses organisational barriers. Design/methodology/approach The project used collaborative systems mapping of provision across three phases: (1) a targeted review of violence prevention evidence in youth custody settings; (2) practice observation including consultations with staff at a YOI; and (3) collaborative re-modelling current practice in consultation with staff. The process emphasised alignment with operational practices, incorporating evidence-based approaches to violence prevention. Findings The “Quick-Time, Slow-Time” model of violence prevention was developed and established three distinct but interconnected phases to provide a structured process after any violent situation and facilitate learning. Each phase has distinct roles, focusing on immediate safety and well-being needs, rapid learning and actions and a comprehensive understanding of violent incidents feeding into strategic planning. Practical implications The paper presents a theory-informed and operationally grounded framework for understanding and responding to violence in youth custody settings. The model provides a template for institutions to enhance violence prevention while maintaining operational effectiveness and staff well-being. Originality/value This paper presents the development of a re-modelled, phased framework for violence prevention in youth custody, grounded in evidence and developed collaboratively with practitioners. The model reflects existing practice and offers a practical tool for implementing and aligning policy with practice while promoting staff support, a youth-centred approach and institutional learning.

ABSTRACT With changes to their treatment evolving, males aged 16–18 years at one young offenders’ institution were investigated for their end of sentence experiences using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four themes emerged: future orientation and the development of self (i.e., regarding education and access to vocational opportunities); relationships between staff and young people (i.e., regarding supportive staff, power struggles, and perceived unfair treatment); establishment regime (i.e., regarding excessive time in their room and regime inconsistencies); and finally the gym as a workout for mind and body. Recommendations include changes to staff training, gym access, and vocational opportunities.

Healthcare workers face specific vulnerabilities for drug overdose due to their unique access to medications, clinical knowledge and work-related stress. This study aimed to understand the characteristics of fatal overdoses in healthcare workers with a view to providing guidance for preventative strategies. We retrospectively identified cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland reported to the National Programme on Substance Use Mortality between 2000 and 2022 where decedents were working or studying within a healthcare setting at the time of their death or had previously worked in healthcare. Quantitative analyses were conducted to report summary demographics of decedents, the circumstances of deaths and the drugs involved. A qualitative thematic framework analysis was performed to identify and explore factors that may contribute to fatal drug overdose in healthcare professionals. In the identified cases, doctors were the most represented profession (48% of cases, n = 28/58) with opioids the drug class most often implicated in causing death (43% of cases, n = 25/58). Whilst there was scant evidence of recreational drug use in the identified cases (n = 3), hospital-only medications prominently featured [propofol in 29% (n = 17/58); midazolam in 10% (n = 6/58); neuromuscular blocking agents in 9% (n = 5/58)]. Qualitative analysis identified seven themes including accessing drugs from the workplace, use of skills and/or equipment for intravenous drug administration, obtainment of private prescriptions, diagnosed mental health conditions, recent events likely to have negatively impacted mental health, chronic pain and self-medicating and history of substance use disorder and/or overdose. The characteristics of fatal drug overdoses among healthcare workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland appear to differ from those observed in the overall population of people who use drugs in the UK. To prevent such deaths, it is important that healthcare workers can access bespoke care and support tailored to the specific challenges that they face.

This study explores the impact of trauma for 18-25-year-old men in a UK prison serving long sentences of more than 10 years, considering whether their offence and sentence length are part of that trauma, and exploring coping responses. Qualitative methodology (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: IPA) was used to analyse 9 semi-structured interviews with young men, discussing their experiences in their own terms. The experiences were organised into three overarching themes, 1. 'Conceptual Confusion', 2. The 'Impact Now of Trauma' and 3. 'Settling'. The study demonstrated that it is possible to discuss the concept of difficult life events with young adult male prisoners, though more difficult for some participants than others. The study supports existing concepts around the experience of trauma in young men, adding insights into the challenges to assessment and intervention work with this cohort, including avoiding assumptions of age-related homogeneity, and ideas for what might be helpful to these men whilst in prison.

Tidmarsh and Uche detail three broad opportunities for professional registration (i.e. increasing confidence in probation, professional identity and values, and enhancing continuous professional development frameworks) and three challenges for professional registration (i.e. organisational readiness, unnecessary bureaucracy, and an imbalance of scrutiny). This practitioner response analyses how the imposition of the probation professional register, and its accompanying policy framework, bring risks to the organisational culture of the probation service that ought to be considered. Furthermore, there are wider needs that the service must overcome to maximise the effectiveness of the register and for staff to buy-in. Despite these risks and needs, there are also many strengths associated with professional registration. Although the Probation Professional Registration Policy Framework has now been implemented, it is still in its infancy. This discussion comes at a time when the organisation itself is still establishing internal structures to support the rollout and so encouraging staff to buy-in to the new policy framework is essential.

ABSTRACT There is a lack of research that investigates the emotional labour of making a claim to the Employment Tribunal. This article explores the experience of a self-represented claimant. The author’s experience elucidates the lack of understanding of the emotional labour that is involved in going through the Employment Tribunal process. The article has a qualitative design and is based on her autoethnographic poetry. The author used poetry to express her anxiety and psychological pain to prevent emotional dissonance. The article is evocative and analytical, because it offers an inside perspective of how turmoil and loss of control within the employment legal system, can be restored to a sense of order and balance through poetry. The purpose: of the article is to demonstrate how poetry can be used as a therapeutic tool to manage emotional labour and address the lack of presence of claimants’ voices in the debate of access to justice.