Research partnership will shape custodial care at new prison

Supporting rehabilitation of people in prison to reduce reoffending and its impact on communities is at the heart of an innovative new research project.

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Kerry O'Hagan, Head of Offender Outcomes, HMP Inverness; Dimitra Perrou, Operational Adviser, HMP Highland; Susie Ranford. KTP Adviser, Innovate UK Business Connect; Dr Sarah Wagner, Senior Researcher, Centre for Living Sustainability; Struan Charters, KTP Associate; Lorraine Roughan, Project Executive, HMP Highland; Professor Vicky Johnson, Director of Centre for Living Sustainability, Melanie Manwaring-McKay, Research Development Facilitator, pictured at their first governance meeting.

The study will look at different interventions designed to support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending, the social impact of prisons on communities, and how their success is measured.

The research could provide significant learning to help people in custody across Scotland, and help deliver safer and more engaged communities, informing practices within the new HMP Highland currently being built in Inverness.

It is being undertaken through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between and the (SPS).

The partnership is the first of its kind in Scotland, and seeks to measure the social impact of prisons in local communities.

HMP Highland will be the first new prison constructed in the Highlands in over a century; creating a unique opportunity to help improve prisoner and community outcomes.

Funded by the partnership hopes to help the SPS shape how prisons operate at the new HMP Highland and beyond, by providing access to the latest academic insights and expertise.

Each KTP employs a project associate who leads the study. The associate collaborates closely with the organisation and academic partners to implement change.

The associate will identify, measure, and track impacts, and help lead to the adoption of best practice, such as the types of interventions that will generate the best outcomes for those in custody at HMP Highland, and their local communities.

Struan Charters has been appointed as the KTP Associate for the HMP Highland Project. A Masters Graduate in Public Policy and Administration, he has returned to his home city of Inverness having worked in a variety of relevant roles, most recently within the Irish Civil Service.

His work will initially focus on how to improve health and wellbeing, community, and connection outcomes. Struan said:

“I’m very excited to be the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate for this project and look forward to engaging closely with Scottish Prison Service and 91ÊÓƵÍø Inverness Colleagues, to improve prisoner and community outcomes through social innovation research.

“It’s great to be able to return to Inverness and to utilise my skills and experience in such an important and dynamic project.”

Lorraine Roughan, SPS Project Executive for HMP Highland, said:

“We are delighted to be involved in this new innovative partnership with 91ÊÓƵÍø Inverness’s Centre for Living Sustainability.

“Struan’s appointment will provide us with invaluable information that will help us to shape the way we develop HMP Highland, for the individuals living there, and those in the surrounding community.

“The construction of HMP Highland has so far seen the creation of new jobs and apprenticeships for the local area, and we look forward to maintaining this community focus with more to come in future.”

Professor Vicky Johnson, Director of the 91ÊÓƵÍø Inverness Centre for Living Sustainability, said:

“Our partnership with the Scottish Prison Service is significant, as it is the first public sector management KTP in Scotland.

“The Centre for Living Sustainability has a focus on inclusion and sustainability for all communities, particularly in the Highlands and Islands. We are excited to apply participatory approaches to understand social impact and improve outcomes for prisoners, their families and communities.”