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