Integrated model of abscond: transitioning towards a more integrated understanding of why prisoners abscond from open prisons

Purpose Open prisons aim to mirror the conditions of the community and seek to allow prisoners a gradual adjustment to independence. However, abscond from open prisons attracts public concern and strict policies and procedures govern how staff should manage prisoners in open conditions safely. This conceptual paper aims to draw on existing literature and recent internally commissioned His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) research, which explored the perspectives of open prison staff and prisoners who have absconded. It highlights some limitations of previous approaches (e.g. the “push/pull” model). Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper used existing HMPPS research and relevant literature to conceptualise the “problem” of abscond and to identify factors to guide future thinking and practice in this area. Four HMPPS abscond-focused research studies were completed between 2022 and 2024. Across these four studies, the authors explored the perceptions of 12 prisoners who have absconded and 11 staff working in open prisons across England. Combined with existing literature on absconds and desistance from absconds, these four studies contributed to the development of the integrated model of abscond (IMA), which is proposed in this paper. Findings Implications for pre-transfer preparation, the prison environment and the psychology of the prisoner have been outlined. The authors suggest prisoner lived experience and staff involvement in the generation of ideas, design and prototyping, and the testing and implementation of any abscond reduction initiatives are paramount, using this model to guide innovation. Originality/value The IMA provides an original, alternative approach to understanding absconds, with emphasis on the interaction between the environmental and psychological factors in contributing to absconds.