Sport for development ‘uniquely positioned’ to support – AoS responds to independent review of prisons

The Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice (AoS) has responded to the Independent Prison Capacity Review, and recommended a series of strengths-based approaches by the sport for development sector which could help to address some of the critical issues that it has highlighted.

The review, which was led by Dame Anne Owers, was published on August 5 and can be accessed here. It calls for a 10-year strategy to restore capacity in probation and community services, recognising their critical role in reducing pressure on prisons.

Following the review, AoS has highlighted a number of critical issues within the prison system. These include:

• Overcrowding and limited rehabilitation: Overcrowding has significantly limited the ability of prisons to provide ‘purposeful, rehabilitative work’ for prisoners. This creates a cycle of inactivity and a lack of skills development, hindering successful resettlement upon release.
• Challenges in health and wellbeing: The review notes that healthcare provision is often reactive, with a lack of long-term health management and continuity of care for those being released. This contributes to poor physical and mental health outcomes for both staff and prisoners.
• Staff stress and inexperience: The review acknowledges that a significant portion of prison officers are inexperienced and burdened by high-pressure environments, contributing to high staff attrition.

The review follows an independent inquiry into physical activity within the Custodial Estate of England and Wales by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Sport and Physical Activity in the Criminal Justice System. The APPG will publish its findings and recommendations later this summer.

Strengths-based approaches by sport for development organisations

AoS believes that sport for development (SfD) organisations in England and Wales are uniquely positioned to offer strength-based approaches that address these findings head on, focusing on the potential of individuals rather than their deficits. These include:

1. Addressing rehabilitation and reducing re-offending

Multi-agency SfD approaches and programmes provide a purposeful and rehabilitative outlet that directly counters the report’s finding of limited activity. By providing structured, multi-agency sport-based activities, organisations can unite and increase resettlement and desistance opportunities:

• Offer purposeful activity: The ’A Sporting Chance’ review highlights on page six of the report the 2nd Chance Project football and rugby programme, which reported a 6% reoffending rate (or 18% including license recalls), significantly lower than the national average. Sport provides a constructive way for prisoners to fill their time, helping to change attitudes and behaviour towards desistance from crime.
• Build confidence and life skills: Inmates learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication, discipline and resilience. This directly supports the development of a positive identity and life rhythm, which are crucial for reintegration into society. Some programmes even offer qualifications, such as Mentoring Level 1, 2, and 3 Certification, Leadership Skills Foundation Qualifications, Personal Fitness Level 3, Duke of Edinburgh evidence for Awards, FA-accredited coaching badges, RFU coaching badges etc, which hold universal skills development and practical application to improve wider employment aspirations and prospects.
• Create community linkages: The most effective programmes maintain a connection between the prison and the community. By partnering with external sports clubs, organisations provide a pathway for continued engagement after release, which is vital for successful resettlement and desistance from crime.

2. Promoting health and wellbeing

Sport programmes are a proactive solution to the health problems mentioned in the report, providing an opportunity for long-term health management. They can:

• Improve physical and mental health: Activities such as running (eg parkrun in Prisons) and yoga have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Regular physical activity helps to manage chronic health conditions that are prevalent in the prison population due to sedentary lifestyles.
• Provide an outlet for aggression: Sport provides a safe and healthy way to channel aggression and anger, improving emotional regulation, communication and self-control.

3. Supporting staff and improving the secure estate

By introducing new activities and partnerships, SfD organisations have positively impacted the working environment for staff. This support includes:

• Improving staff-prisoner relationships: Sports programmes provide a neutral ground where staff can interact with prisoners in a more positive and constructive manner, generating mutual respect and a better rapport. This helps to reduce the daily pressure on overburdened prison officers.
• Improving multi-agency working: Movement, physical activity and sport for all staff lifts their wellbeing, multi-agency connection and ensures their long-term ability to be more resilient. The use of physical activity and sport within the working day, also reduces silo departmentalism, and increases the positive cross-department connection/team dynamics to aid an increased efficiency, innovation and overall improved performance within the secure estate, which is a multi-agency environment. 
• Creating a positive culture: The presence of external coaches and positive role models from sports organisations helps to create a more hopeful and rehabilitative culture within the prison, benefitting both prisoners and the staff who work with them.

Independent Prison Capacity Review: Read the final report

For more information about the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice, visit allianceofsport.org or contact info@allianceofsport.org