Supporting transitions into, within and out of imprisonment: Why it’s important and how we can help 

Event details 

Monday 6^th July 

14:00 – 15:00 GMT 

Online

Rachel Gibson,

Prison Service Journal Co-Editor / HMPPS Evidence & Insights Team

Ruth Parkes,

Prison Service Journal Guest Editor,

University of Lancashire

Transitions are a central feature of prison life, yet they are often overlooked in policy and practice discussions. People move into custody, between establishments and regimes, into new roles or identities, and eventually back into the community.  

These moments of change are critical to safety, wellbeing and rehabilitation — and to the work of those supporting people across the custodial journey. 

To support the publication of the forthcoming special edition of the Prison Service Journal (PSJ) on transitions into, within and out of imprisonment, this online insights event will bring together colleagues from HMPPS, PSJ, academics and external partners to explore what the research tells us about supporting people through these key moments. 

This PSJ special edition stems from the strength of discussion at a conference hosted by the University of Lancashire’s Centre for Criminal Justice Research and Partnerships, demonstrating the need for greater focus on transitions as a core part of the custodial experience. 

The special edition presents contributions from academics, practitioners and people with lived experience, examining transitions not only from a policy perspective but as lived, emotional experiences. Articles explore movement between prison environments, changes in identity and role within custody, and transitions from prison to the community — which is particularly important for rehabilitation and public protection. 

This joint HMPPS Insights and PSJ event explores two articles from the special edition in greater depth: 

• Transitions from mainstream prison wings into substance use disorder therapeutic communities. Using sensory and transitional perspectives, Alex Fishwick will talk about how this transition is more than a change of location, involving significant shifts in identity shaped by prison culture and the experience of recovery. 

• The development and early testing of the HMPPS Settlement Model in two remand prisons. Jennifer Stickney and Emma Holmes will talk through their article (co-written with Chris Gunderson) about how structured key work and personalised regime plans can support safe settlement into custody, while also contributing positively to staff experience and job satisfaction. 

Please join us, our speakers and expert panel including: 

• Laura Kelly Corless, Guest Editor and Senior Lecturer in Criminology at University of Lancashire    

• Alex Fishwick, PhD Researcher at University of Lancashire 

• Jennifer Stickney and Emma Holmes, Consultant Occupational Therapists seconded in HMPPS Enable Programme from the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway 

• Sarah Skett, Head of Health and Care Partnerships, HMPPS 

• Wayne Hodges, Head of Operational Delivery, HMPPS Drug and Alcohol Group (DAG)  

This event is an opportunity to share learning across policy, practice and research, and to reflect on how evidence‑informed approaches can improve outcomes at key points of transition, and will be of interest to: 

• Policy makers  

• Leaders and managers who set priorities, allocate resources, shape culture, and enable cross‑sector collaboration across the justice system, particularly, those with oversight for the management and support of people in prison and or people on probation   

• Frontline staff and substance treatment provider staff (in custody and community)  

• Lived experience recovery organisations   

• Academics and researchers 

By joining this event you will gain insight into: 

• the range of transitions experienced by people in the criminal justice system and how supporting people to manage these transitions is critical to safety, wellbeing and rehabilitation   

• the challenges which transition bring and how to support them   

• practical steps you can take to take to support transition   

Register now for this free online event.   

Please register with your work email address.   

But, that’s not all!  

HMPPS Insights and Prison Service Journal are offering an exclusive, VIP opportunity: 

Book your ticket for Insights VIP+ PSJ: Meet Prison Service Journal editors to learn more about PSJ, and how to submit an article:  

The Prison Service Journal (PSJ), in collaboration with our editorial development lead (Dr. Lewis Simpson), are pleased to offer the opportunity to join an online event to:  

• Meet the co-editors 

• Learn more about the purpose, aims, and values of the PSJ.  

• Learn the publication process, including how to make a submission to the journal for publication.  

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