{
  "abstract": "Introduction COPE investigated the prevalence, patterns and determinants of prisoner self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with pre-pandemic. The project used the natural experiment of the pandemic to understand effects of prison environments on self-harm.Methods COPE was a mixed-methods study involving all prisons within England and Wales. Participants included 80 437 prisoners identified from routine data sources, 71 (ex)prisoners consulted and 89 staff interviewed (average experience: 18.5 years). The main outcome measure was the rate of self-harm incidents reported. Secondary measures included qualitative assessments of prisoner and staff experiences related to self-harm during the pandemic. Qualitative outcomes were derived from thematic grouping of inmate consultation responses and framework analysis of staff responses. The exposure was the pandemic period from March 2020 to December 2021.Results There were gender differences in prisoner self-harm rates during the pandemic. In women’s prisons, the pandemic was associated with a 7% overall increase in self-harm (95% CI 2% to 13%) and a 43% increase in self-harm requiring hospitalisation (11% to 83%). Conversely, men’s prisons saw an 8% self-harm decrease (6% to 11%) and a 21% decrease in self-harm hospitalisation. Policy interventions, for example, in-cell telephones and additional phone credit were linked to reduced self-harm in men’s prisons. Introducing video visits was associated with an increase in self-harm in women’s and men’s prisons. Qualitative analysis revealed a complex interplay of factors influencing these outcomes, including tension between the risk of mental health deterioration because of greater isolation and the perceived safety benefits of a restricted regime.Conclusions The pandemic, and policy changes, were associated with changes in prisoner self-harm. Distinct patterns emerged between genders underscoring the need for gender-specific prison policies, especially during crisis management. Furthermore, the complex relationship between policy implementation and self-harm highlighted the importance of tailoring prison environments to effectively address the population’s diverse needs.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Mental Health and Safety, The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Kerry Gutridge"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Women’s Mental Health, The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Matthias Pierce"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Women’s Mental Health, The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Auden Edwardes"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Louise Robinson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK",
        "Health and Justice Team, Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco & Justice Division, Public Health England, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Emma Plugge"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CEO, UNLOCK National Association of Ex-Offenders Ltd, Maidstone, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Paula Harriott"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Mental Health and Safety, The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Jenny Shaw"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Women’s Mental Health, The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester, UK",
        "Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Kathryn M Abel"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Mixed-methods investigation into the prevalence, patterns and determinants of prisoner self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic in England and Wales compared with prepandemic self-harm (COPE)",
  "uid": "4471696a-24ad-5be6-b246-69db4a247683"
}