Work, Culture, and Wellbeing Among Prison Governors in England and Wales

“It seems obvious that for people in prison to experience good health and well- being, staff too must feel supported and their health promoted. This book offers focused and detailed insight, specifically focussing on prison leaders and managers. It is an excellent contribution offering new and empirically informed ways of thinking and practicing workplace wellbeing in prisons.” —Professor James Woodall, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, UK “Prof. Karen Harrison and colleagues have produced a sustained analysis of work-related well-being issues in a seriously under-studied group, namely prison governors. This is a valuable contribution to the literature” —Andrew Clements, Lecturer in Work Psychology, Aston University, UK This book offers a focused and detailed insight into the health and wellbeing of prison staff, specifically focussing on prison leaders and managers. The authors bring together expertise from psychology, health, law, and criminology, to present a unique multidisciplinary examination of health and wellbeing based on interviews with Prison Governors’ Association members. Examining how the participants described their health and wellbeing at work and at home, the authors reveal dysfunctional culture, disenchantment and disengagement, the heavy weight of expectations and high levels of professional uncertainty relating to the future. It argues that more governor grade specific and arguably mandated support is needed. Recommendations from the book will contribute to improving health and wellbeing amongst the governor work force, feeding into positive outcomes in relation to staff retention and prison expansion challenges. Karen Harrison is Professor of Law and Penal Justice in Lincoln Law School at the University of Lincoln, UK. Rachael Mason is Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Lincoln, UK. Helen Nichols is Senior Lecturer in Criminology in the School of Criminology, Sociology and Policing at the University of Hull, UK. Lauren Smith is Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the School of Psychology at the University of Lincoln, UK.