Using sport-based interventions to benefit the mental well-being of people in prison

The primary focus of this chapter is to identify how sport-based interventions impact psychological well-being within the prison population, considering both the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives, namely the experience of positive affect and healthy psychological functioning and self-realization. The chapter focuses on the perspective of those involved in either the design, delivery, or oversight of sport-based interventions within prison, collectively referred to as stakeholders throughout. From the analyses of 16 stakeholder interviews, a thematic framework of key considerations is established, consisting of six higher order themes. The resultant framework is also linked to established psychological theories of health behaviour change, a quality assurance recommendation from the Medical Research Council. Collectively, the themes and psychological theories identified, offer a guiding framework for the effective design and delivery of sport-based interventions within prison that will potentially maximize benefit to prisoner psychological well-being.