Event recording – watch it back: Supporting transitions into, within and out of imprisonment: Why it’s important and how we can help 

Rachel Gibson

PSJ Co-Editor, and HMPPS Evidence & Insights Team

Ruth Parkes

Guest editor, University of Lancashire

On 6 July, we were delighted to host our first joint HMPPS Insights and Prison Service Journal (PSJ) event, showcasing and discussing the recent PSJ special edition focused on supporting transitions into, within, and out of imprisonment. 

Ahead of the event, we highlighted why this theme matters. Transitions are a constant feature of prison life, yet they can often be overlooked in policy and practice discussions. People move into custody, between establishments and regimes, into new roles and identities, and eventually back into the community. These moments of change can have a profound impact on safety, wellbeing, rehabilitation, and the experiences of those working across the prison system. 

Following an introduction from the guest editors, the event spotlighted two articles from the special edition. Alex Fishwick shared lived experience insights from his research on transitions from mainstream prison wings into substance use disorder therapeutic communities. He explored how these transitions are about far more than a change in location, involving shifts in identity that are shaped by prison culture and the recovery journey. 

We also heard from Jennifer Stickney and Emma Holmes, who outlined how structured key work and personalised regime plans can help people settle safely into custody. They highlighted how a more individualised approach, benefits not only those entering prison but also staff, by contributing positively to professional satisfaction and engagement. 

There was a lively question-and-answer session, bringing together our speakers and HMPPS subject matter experts to explore the issues in greater depth and reflect on their implications for policy and practice. The excellent level of engagement from attendees meant there were more questions than we had time to cover. You can read the panel’s thoughtful responses below. 

We were thrilled by the level of interest in the event. Attendees joined us from across HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice, as well as from academia, charities, partner agencies, and  international organisations with an interest in improving outcomes for people across the custodial journey. The breadth of perspectives enriched the discussion and reinforced the importance of this topic. 

We hope the event has helped to stimulate further thinking about how we can better support people through the many transitions that shape their experiences of imprisonment and resettlement. If you were unable to attend, or would like to revisit the discussion, you can watch the recording and also see the slides below. The presentations and discussion offer valuable insights for anyone interested in prison culture, rehabilitation, resettlement, and the practical ways we can improve support during key moments of change. 

Event recording

Presenter slides

Event Questions & Answers to follow

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