In October 2018, HMPPS including HMP/YOI Parc embarked on a trauma informed prisons project (TIPP) with the vision of developing a sustainable trauma informed approach across prisons in Wales and to address vulnerabilities linked to ACEs within the prison population.

The TIPP is composed of two key areas; 

• ACEs awareness for all staff
• Developing, embedding and testing a sustainable trauma-informed approach to casework within prisons

The project is supported by an ACE Coordinator team, who are supporting with the development and delivery of ACE TIME training to prion and probation staff across Wales. To ensure the continuation of training and increasing staff knowledge of trauma and ACEs after the project completion date of March 2020, a new “train the trainer” model has been launched.

There has been a strong interest from HMPPS and HMP/YOI Parc staff to be involved in future delivery of this project, demonstrating the warm welcome that this project has received.
The second key area of the TIPP aims to inform and enhance professional decision-making processes within a trauma-informed approach to casework.

This includes understanding the impact of the individual’s early life experiences, potential vulnerabilities, developmental milestones, as well as developing effective engagement strategies, building resilience and opportunities to promote protective factors. This approach will draw on learning and successes from elsewhere, such as the Enhanced Case Management trial within Youth Justice.

Establishing a trauma-informed approach within prisons in Wales should allow for improved stability of men whilst in prison and beyond the prison gates, with potential for positive impacts extending to their families, the local community and local partners such as the Police. The project will be independently evaluated by Public Health Wales to identify key areas of success and areas for improvement.