This selection of external research explores the wider impact of our services. 

University of Cambridge, October 2024 (ongoing)

'Desistance from crime after imprisonment overseas' - Desistance from crime after imprisonment overseas | Institute of Criminology

Prisoners Abroad was awarded a grant from the Dawes Trust to conduct a research project on the long-term impact of imprisonment abroad post release. We are working alongside Dr Caroline Lanskey and Angelique Mulholland at the University of Cambridge to gather new insights into the needs and experience of those who have been imprisoned abroad, investigate the longer-term support they need and look at the factors which may support desistance from crime.

The research has taken the form of sending out surveys and completing in-depth one-to-one interviews with those who have lived experience of the issues. At the time of writing we have reached our target for survey responses, with 151 people completing this. We were thrilled at the interest in also taking part in an interview and researchers have spoken to around 35 people in more detail about their experiences. 

Over the summer 2025, the project and its initial findings are being presented at two academic criminology conferences in the UK and Greece. General themes include the upheaval of deportation and how people's lives change pre- and post- imprisonment, the concept of desistance among a group with diverse experiences of criminal justice systems, and the significance of compassion after release. 

The research is due to conclude in April 2026 and we hope to be able to share some of the initial findings very soon.

Prisons Research Group, July 2022

'The Resettlement Experiences of People Supported by the Charity Prisoners Abroad'

With the kind support of Comic Relief, we commissioned a piece of research from the Prisons Research Group at Middlesex University on the experiences of people supported by our resettlement service. The research study and final report was produced by Dr Matt Cracknell and Dr Jenni Ward. 

Between September 2021 and June 2022, researchers conducted a small-scale study of our resettlement service. This included interviews with service users, staff and partners to examine the deportation experience, investigate the practical challenges faced during the resettlement period and gain an understanding of how people cope, psychologically and emotionally, with the resettlement and reintegration process.

The research highlights the role that Prisoners Abroad plays in helping people to avoid homelessness and strengthening their pathway to positive reintegration into society following a period of overseas imprisonment. It explore the barriers people face on return, the importance of housing, and what could be learned by the wider criminal justice sector by Prisoners Abroad’s approach. 

The research was disseminated at a webinar held in July 2022 attended by guests from across the criminal justice and charity sectors.