Prison, resettlement and domestic abuse: a qualitative study to explore women's experiences and needs to enhance practice and policy

Background Representing 4% of the prison population, imprisoned women have disproportionately complex and intersecting needs that are often overlooked during their time in prison as well as during planning for their post-prison resettlement. A recently published evidence review found there to be significant gaps relating to women s in-prison and post-prison needs being addressed in relation to domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and social care support. Aims The overall aim of the study is to understand the experiences, perspectives and needs of women who are victims/survivors of DVA on being released from prison. The study will examine the barriers and enablers to women receiving the appropriate support and social care needed after leaving prison. To address the diversity of women leaving prison, we will examine women s individual intersecting social characteristics as well as the institutional and structural factors which may affect their resettlement. Design This exploratory study will be conducted over 20 months and will adopt a multi-method qualitative research design. In WP1 we will recruit women (n = 8) to train as peer researchers in both qualitative methods and Photovoice. In WP2 peer researchers, along with the academic team members, will conduct focus groups at 5 sites (n = 30 participants). Inclusion criteria for focus group participants includes: women who have left prison in the last two years; and who have experience of DVA. Each focus group will run over 5 sessions and will adopt Photovoice methodology. This will enable the study to capture the experiences and narratives of women who have experience of both DVA and prison. In WP3 semi-structured interviews will be conducted with key stakeholders (n = 40) such as policymakers, service providers and professionals, for example, from social care, criminal justice and women s sectors. A combined social ecological and intersectional theoretical framework will examine the influences on women s experiences at the level of the individual, community and society as well as the intersecting power relations that operate across multiple identity positions including, for example, socio-economic class, ethnicity, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, and immigration status. A central feature of the project is the collaboration and co-construction of knowledge with women with lived experience, practitioners and researchers. This will allow for the development of a much needed knowledge base to advance understanding around women s resettlement experiences and needs by centering women s voices but also incorporating other stakeholders directly involved in this area. Impact and dissemination We will deliver peer researcher training to build capacity in the population of women who are ex-prisoners. We will deliver open access guidance (downloadable documents including a resettlement toolkit and best practice guides, policy briefs, infocomic) to: a) improve resettlement planning and the delivery of resettlement support for women with experience of DVA; b) to inform policy review; c) provide awareness-raising to women; and d) promote equality by centring marginalised women s voices in research, and policy and practice recommendations. The Photovoice exhibition will promote women s narratives, experiences, perspectives and needs in relation to DVA and social care to a wide audience.