Health promotion in a prison setting: Experience in Villabona prison:

Aim:The aim of this study was to analyse experiences of a health promotion intervention implemented by the Therapeutic and Educational Unit at Villabona prison in Spain, which aimed to create drug-free spaces as part of a model of social rehabilitation.Design:As part of a larger participatory evaluation study concerning the efficacy of community education, qualitative data were collected from inmates and key informants associated with the unit.Methodology:Information was gathered from 68 informants via 32 in-depth interviews, 6 discussion groups and 4 life stories. Participants included 39 inmates, 10 prison professionals, 5 ex-prisoners, 11 stakeholders and 3 family members.Results:The unit provides a drug-free space that encourages healthy behaviours and strengthens formal and informal social ties to enhance protective factors.Conclusion:The educational and therapeutic model employed may provide a successful methodology for the promotion of health in penal system institutions. Drug-free opportunities to...