RESEARCH

Mental Health and Wellbeing Benefits from a Prisons Horticultural Programme

The “Greener on the Outside of Prisons” (GOOP) program, evaluated in 12 prisons in North West England, aimed to improve prisoner well-being through horticultural activities. Using Green Gym© questionnaires, and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale the evaluation found that participation in the program improved mental health, increased confidence, and enhanced social interactions among prisoners.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social, Vocational

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Corrections/Justice-Involved, Addiction/Substance Use Disorders

Setting or Context: Jails/Prisons

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Sensory Stimulation, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Greater Job Readiness & Vocational Skills, Community Building

Allied Profession Intersections: Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Therapy

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Outdoor Gardening, Vocational Skill Development

Evidence Type: Observational Research, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Program Effectiveness

Access: Paid

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Summary

This paper discusses the findings of an impact evaluation of a horticultural program called “Greener on the Outside of Prisons” (GOOP), delivered in 12 prisons in North West England. The program aimed to improve prisoner well-being amidst high rates of suicide, self-harm, and poor mental health. The evaluation used quantitative methods, including Green Gym© questionnaires and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and qualitative methods involving Biographic-Narrative Interpretive Method interviews.

The results indicated that the horticultural program had a beneficial impact on prisoner participants, particularly on their mental health and well-being. Participants showed increased confidence, improved social interactions with staff and other prisoners, and gained skills, qualifications, and work experience, potentially increasing their chances of post-release employment. While limitations included incomplete follow-up questionnaires and a lack of a comparison group, the study suggests that horticultural work in prisons offers significant “added value” related to mental health.