Participatory Action Research: Actions to Improve Communication and Collaboration in Belgian Prisons

• In Event: Prison Working Group: Doing prison research: Reflections on funding, ethics, knowledge production, and othering

Abstract

As two new prisons opened in Belgium (Haren and Dendermonde), a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project was initiated in 2023 to identify the needs of various stakeholders. In addition to the establishment of the two new prison facilities and their subsequent scaling-up, several innovative detention principles, including the adoption of digital platforms, a badge system for incarcerated persons, new responsibilities for prison staff aligned with the implementation of functional differentiation for prison officers, and semi-open regimes were introduced.

While PAR consists of three fundamental principles Participation, Action, and Research, this presentation focuses on the research results and actions. The study integrates viewpoints of incarcerated persons, personnel from service and activity providers, and prison staff through the utilization of surveys and interviews. We will provide a succinct overview of the main research findings, emphasizing the need for enhanced communication and increased collaboration in Belgian prisons. In response to identified needs, experiments were initiated in 2024 as part of the action phase.

Authors

• Elieze Termote, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Lennert De Boe, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Kristel Beyens, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• An-Sofie Vanhouche, Vrije Universiteit Brussel