The Ministry of Justice has published a major report, authored by WIPH researchers, on the use of Psychologically Informed Planned Environments (PIPEs). The report shows that, within prisons, the intervention can lead to improved social and relational functioning, associated with improving social climate and positive staff disposition.
PIPEs interventions are designed to support residents with offender personality disorder in their journey through the Criminal JusticeSystem and into the community. Staff working in PIPEs are trained and supported to work with offenders in a psychologically informed way, with close attention to how those who live and work there relate to one another. Quantitative data from residents in prison PIPEs reported better social and relational skills than those in comparator wings, with statistically significantly lower levels of problematic social problem solving and relating styles, particularly those related to ‘personality disorder’. Staff and residents also reported improved working relationships and a better sense of safety. Residents engaged in pro-social behaviour, corroborated by staff, who felt they had reduced their use of force. Staff reported a sense of mattering in their role, noting that what they did was meaningful and that they felt particularly supported through supervision.
Landon Kuester, Mark Freestone, Katharina Seewald, Ruby Rathbone, Kam Bhui. Evaluation of Psychologically Informed Planned Environments (PIPEs): Assessing the first five years.
HM Prison and Probation Service. Ministry of Justice Analytical Series. 13 October 2022.