A qualitative investigation into prisoners’ reasons for absconding from an open prison in England: implications for developing abscond prevention strategies

Purpose This study aims to investigate prisoners’ reasons for absconding from open prison conditions at a specific prison site in England, given their increasing number of absconds over recent years. Design/methodology/approach A reflexive thematic analysis approach was used from a postpositivist epistemological perspective to gain an understanding of each participant’s decision-making around absconding. Four participants who had absconded from the site between May 2020 and May 2022 engaged in a semi-structured interview. Findings Themes relating to difficulties within the open prison environment itself, feeling unsupported by staff and procedural unfairness were identified. Practical implications Recommendations for future practice, including identifying “warning signs” and developing abscond prevention policy and strategy, are made. Originality/value There had not yet been any empirical research conducted to explore the nature and extent of the issue of absconds at the prison. It is unclear as to why those who have absconded from the site have chosen to do so, or what the factors might have influenced these decisions. The current research has therefore aimed to understand the issue more fully to support the establishment’s wider abscond reduction/management strategy and contribute to custodial policy in this area. The present study gives an in-depth insight into abscond decision-making via an exploration of prisoner narrative; allowing prisoner voice to contribute to the identification of specific support needs and understanding the implications of these to open conditions practice and abscond prevention strategies. Results are considered, and recommendations made accordingly, to support future abscond prevention strategy development for the prison in which the research was conducted, with implications for the wider open estate. This strategy development focus is an original consideration contributed by the study to the relatively small but growing literature base in this area.