Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being of an Aging Prison Population Through Creative Nature-Based Interventions

Abstract

This article focuses on an evaluation of a conservation and nature-based pilot project (BOOM) conduced in a UK local prison as part of the Greener on the Outside for Prisons therapeutic horticultural program. BOOM developed a tree and plant growing nursery where prisoners approaching the end of their sentences helped to restore endangered fauna and flora. They also engaged in tree-planting sessions within the prison grounds. Over 100 prisoners participated overall, with approximately a fifth of these going on to take part in an accredited course and engage in creative, arts-based activities related to nature as part of the project.
Researchers carried out a series of focus groups with prisoners and staff who had taken part in prison-based BOOM activities during 2022–2023. In addition to BOOM staff, 18 prisoners were interviewed in four narrative-based focus groups, which gave participants a forum to discuss their experience of the project. A thematic analysis of this data has drawn out key themes in relation to health and well-being benefits of the project for an aging prison group and opportunities and challenges that arise from partnership working in this context. These health and well-being themes incorporate trust, connecting with nature, raising environmental consciousness, the value of creativity, and thinking beyond the gate. These findings have implications for future prison-based prisons project involving older prisoners, who are the fastest growing group in the prison population, and whose particular health and well-being needs are not currently entirely understood or met within the UK prison system.