Participatory Research by Women in a Canadian Prison:–“What Housing do we Need?”

Purpose.

Housing is a basic determinant of health. Homelessness and unstable housing negatively influence health. During a unique prison participatory research project in a Canadian provincial women's prison, women's homelessness was identified as a cause of their recidivism. In addition, incarcerated women identified housing as a major health goal for them. The objectives of this presentation are: 1. to discuss previously unreported findings of a housing survey that was designed and conducted by incarcerated women; 2. to demonstrate the value of participatory research processes in determining incarcerated women's health goals, including their specific housing needs.

Methods.

The participatory action research project was conducted in the main short-sentence minimum/medium-security women's prison located in British Columbia, Canada. An ethnographic multi-method approach was used for all data collection and analysis, to explore the question, “What do women in prison say about their housing needs?” Quantitative data was collected by surveys and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was collected from orientation package entries, audio recordings and written archives of research team discussions, forums and debriefings, and presentations. These data and ethnographic observations were transcribed and analyzed using iterative and interpretative qualitative methods. Associations were examined between homelessness and socio-demographic factors, return to crime, and preferred housing type and location upon release. Additionally, open-ended survey responses and all other transcribed data were reviewed to identify themes and to illuminate the survey findings.

Results.

Incarcerated women peer researchers designed health surveys, collected data and conducted data analysis that elucidated nine health goals, one of which was housing. Lessons learned from the research processes were confirmed by common themes that emerged from thematic analysis of their ethnographic field data. Eighty-three women completed the housing survey (72% response rate). Of the 71 previously incarcerated, 56% stated that homelessness contributed to their return to crime. Most women described the main barrier to housing as financial. Although 83% of women preferred housing exclusively for ex-prisoners, there was no “one sort fits all” type of accommodation. Results of our multi-method analysis related to incarcerated women's specific housing needs and suggestions will be presented in detail.

Conclusions.

Incarceration provides a unique opportunity to engage women as expert partners alongside academic researchers through participatory research processes. Incarcerated Canadian women face a cycle of homelessness, poverty and crime for survival. In this study, incarcerated women voiced specific housing needs and suggestions that would improve their health and reduce recidivism.