Glória Jólluskin

Health promotion in a prison setting: an exploratory study on why and how to do it

Purpose Developing interventions in challenging contexts should imply proper discussion, from its theoretical framework to implementation details. Health promotion in prison settings as a mean of improving inmates’ rights concerning physical/emotional well-being, empowering inmates both to reclusion and re-entry challenges, is examined. Design/methodology/approach The development of a health promotion program, implemented in a prison setting, with an initial group of 11 inmates, is described. The programme design followed professionals’ and inmates’ inputs and previous similar interventions, taking a peer education, community-based, and participative approach. Findings Although some prison settings present major constraints to interventions’ development, we were able to perform the program and reinforced the idea that prisons can and should be health-promoting contexts. We found several specific needs that must be addressed when people are under custody, if we want imprisonment to be developmental instead...