Prisoners’ experiences of transition from a progression PIPE to a mainstream high-secure prison environment

Purpose Despite their clinical value, psychologically informed planned environments (PIPEs) remain under-evaluated, with limited understanding of prisoner transitions. This study aims to explore prisoners’ experiences of transitioning from a PIPE in a high-secure prison and applying their learning within the main prison population, offering critical insights for rehabilitative practice. Design/methodology/approach Seven adult male prisoners participated in semi-structured interviews, analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to identify group-level super-ordinate themes. The second researcher conducted an external audit of the analysis. Findings Two super-ordinate themes emerged: disengagement and transition. The findings highlight PIPE as a safe, supportive environment that fosters a strong sense of belonging, enhancing prisoners’ self-belief and readiness for transition. Participants reported increased confidence in addressing challenges. However, the importance of planned through-care is underscored to prevent feelings of rejection, sustain positive relationships and ensure continued support beyond PIPE. Originality/value These findings offer valuable, original insights into prisoners’ transitional experiences within PIPE, reinforcing the significance of its ethos in prison settings. The study highlights PIPE’s clinical value while identifying critical gaps in post-PIPE support. Recommendations are proposed to enhance continuity of care and maximise the long-term impact of PIPE on successful prisoner transitions.