Table 3.
Lessons learned from prison participatory research processes.
What academic researchers learned | Women are the experts in their health and we should listen to them Women in prison have time on their hands and are keen to be part of the solution |
Some prison staff or prison structures didn't buy into the participatory processes, but the research project was able to proceed based on common values | |
Research project grew out of working relationships between warden, recreational therapist and prison physician | |
We learned about participatory research from doing it, trusting the process and following the guiding principles (= shared values) | |
Incarcerated women's view of health has a larger scope than ours Incarcerated women's health and education are interconnected The research processes changed our world view | |
What incarcerated women peer researchers learned | We began to believe that change is possible The research project showed us a new way of living; it gave us a change of perspective and new hope |
We learnt how to ask for, and to advocate for, things in prison that are healthy | |
We learnt technical skills by doing (e.g. writing, computer programs) We began to communicate more effectively and confidently We developed a passion for our work and we had renewed purpose Our self-respect and self-esteem improved |