How higher education in prison benefits students’ mental health and wellbeing

People incarcerated in prison are disproportionately affected by mental health disorders compared to people in the general community. Prison higher education programs have demonstrated benefits for student well-being, mental health, post-release employment outcomes, and recidivism rates. However, there is currently limited understanding of the mechanisms by which participation in higher education in prison offers psychosocial benefits, including improved mental health and wellbeing. This qualitative study utilized content analysis of interviews with incarcerated students to explore the psychosocial benefits and underlying mechanisms related to engagement with higher education in prison. Findings identified specific mechanisms (“constructive challenges” and “positive environment”) as well as other factors and outcomes that affect how students engage with higher education in prison and benefit mental health and wellbeing. These mechanisms and outcomes also facilitated a willingness and ability to further engage in higher education in prison. Findings from this study offer strategies which can be applied to a range of prison programs and interventions, providing tangible strategies, such as peer-to-peer support and opportunities to engage with non-prison staff, to improve engagement and mental health outcomes.