CARE study questionnaire - request for participants

Researchers from the University of Bath and UCL are conducting a study exploring the experiences of prison staff who have experienced challenging or distressing experiences at work. We’re looking specifically into “moral injury”, which is the intense guilt or shame someone may experience after an event that violates their core values or sense of right or wrong. We hope to better understand how these experiences impact wellbeing and plan to develop an intervention to support prison staff. 

Who can take part? 

  • Current staff working in or with prisons in England and Wales (i.e. HMPPS, NHS, private sector prison staff) 
  • Aged 18 and over 
  • Understand and communicate in English 

What does taking part involve? 

  1. Survey (approx.15-20 minutes) 

    Take part online
    Answer questions about your wellbeing, including demographic questions and your exposure to challenging events 
    Participation will be kept anonymous 

    Access the survey here: https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_aY6i46iTBnsBUlo

  2. Optional interviews (approx. 60 minutes)

    Take part via telephone or MS teams to discuss your experience in more depth. 
    Opportunity to share your thoughts about what support would be helpful to staff who work with prisons. 

All information shared will remain strictly confidential and stored securely. Participants will receive a debrief leaflet and signposting booklet with resources for additional support if needed. If you’re interested or have any questions, please contact Dr Victoria Williamson (victoria.williamson@kcl.ac.uk) or Rachel Duncan (rachel.duncan@ucl.ac.uk) for more information. Your participation would be greatly valued. 

The NEC endorse the participation of members in this study. Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to meaningful research. 

Representing over 30,000 Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers, the POA is the largest UK Union in this sector, able to trace its roots back more than 100 years.