European Penitentiary Training Academies Network
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The problem support mentor scheme was developed in the UK with the Universities of York, Leeds and the HMPPS prison service. The scheme involves training prison staff and secondly with prisoners to develop problem-solving skills using a brief six-step model and helps people to solve and cope better with problems they experience in custody and when released in the community. The materials from the scheme in the UK were adapted for use in the Polish Penitentiary System with collaboration from the Academy of Justice in Warsaw, prison staff, and prisoners. Research evidence shows how the scheme reduces repeat self-harm behaviour and improves the confidence, quality of life, and self-esteem of those who use it. The newly adapted materials are being evaluated using a feasibility randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of using the skills on measures of depression, hopelessness and coping strategies.
If anyone would like to use the scheme at the training academy or find out more information, please contact Dr. Amanda E Perry on email: amanda.perry@york.ac.uk.
Read more about the adaptation process by the Polish Academy of Justice here. Several examples from the 6-Step project were provided on this page in a podcast.
Other publication links which might be of interest:
Dr. Amanda Perry and Jarosław Rychlik PhD and Maja Zawadzka presented the scheme and how it was adapted in the Polish Penitentiary System in collaboration with the Academy of Justice. View Amanda’s presentation from the EPTA Conference here. Jarosław Rychlik’s and Maja Zawadzka’s presentation can be uploaded here.
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