Reflecting on Risley’s Discovery wing model pilot delivery: Co-producing a positive social climate on a mainstream prison wing

This article showcases an example of an innovative wing model pilot which included seconded custodial staff as part of a delivery team partnership. The HMPPS Creating Future Opportunities (CFO) wing delivery model is designed to empower both staff and residents to co-produce a welcome atmosphere and community feel on a mainstream prison wing. The HMPPS, CFO and Achieve Career Connect delivery team at Risley designed and delivered an enrichment activity programme, facilitated peer mentor capacity building roles and drew on external partnership support. Using qualitative evaluation data collected in Risley as a CFO wing model pilot site, this article identifies core practice factors which staff reflected on as contributing to the successful delivery of this pilot. Originating in findings generated during a delivery staff team workshop and supplemented by interviews undertaken with strategic prison managers, external partners and residents on the Discovery wing, four best practice learning points are identified.