Peter Jones is a recognized national leader in working with victims of sexual violence and trauma who disclose this both within the custodial setting and mental health arena, and he has presented his work at a number of national and international conferences.He was awarded a BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychology) Fellowship in 2009 and in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the development of Counselling and Psychotherapy and is currently a fellow at the Royal Society of Arts. He also chairs a specialist interest group within the World Health Organisation in relation to Sexual Violence and Trauma within custodial settings. As well as also chairing  and leading  the Well- Being of Prisoners in Prisons Network within Higher Education founded in 2010 in partnership with the Mental Health in Higher Education Network. In an exclusive interview with Preshti, Peter discusses the work his organization does, his inspiration behind working for the welfare of prisoners and his opinions on the problem faced by correctional systems today.

P: Hello Mr. Jones .Please tells us something about you.

PJ: I have extensive background in mental health, and has undertaken training as a counsellor, graduating with a Diploma in Counselling in 1997 and obtaining a MA in Counselling in 1999 from Ripon and York St John. I am a recognized national leader in working with victims of sexual violence and trauma who disclose this both within the custodial setting and mental health arena, and he has presented his work at a number of national and international conferences.I was awarded a BACP Fellowship in 2009 in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the development of BACP and to Counselling and Psychotherapy in general.

I also chair a specialist interest group within the World Health Organisation in relation to Sexual Violence and Trauma within custodial settings. As well as also chairing  and leading  the Well- Being in Prisons Network within Higher Education founded in 2010 in partnership with the Mental Health in Higher Education Network.

P: Please give us an insight into your work so far? What inspired you to take it up?

PJ: In 1998 I founded a Counselling and support organisation in hull to work with male rape victims. Soon after that a local prison left a message on the answer phone asking for my help to support a rape victim in the prison. I went off to help and provide counselling then the rest is history . I founded the Counselling in prison network soon after to deliver therapy and counselling into the UK prison system and the Criminal Justice System generally.

P: What are the basic problems faced by prisoners today?

PJ: I would rather not call them problems but challenges facing prisoners today. The key challenges I believe facing both the prisoner and the criminal justice stem from unresolved Psychological and emotional trauma. I believe this is at the root of a lot of offending behavior .Many offenders have found themselves in the Criminal Justice System through their complex and abusive backgrounds and history.

P: Where exactly do you think in the global community going wrong while tackling prison reformation and crime prevention issues? 

PJ: Putting it simply, I believe the justice system needs to starts addressing the roots of offending behaviour in terms of the prisoner’s own victim history and experience. This needs to be resolved and addressed at a deeper psychological levels. Often, the focus of rehabilitation of offenders is shallow and superficially ineffective.

P:What is your organization doing to improve prison conditions?

PJ: The Counselling in Prisons network seeks to pool the best practices,carry out research,build an evidence base for all therapy been delivering to the Criminal Justice System . We plan to publish and provide an ethical framework for therapists to be effective and safe in their practice. As a professional body, I see this as our role

P:In your opinion, does the society have a role to play in prisoner’s reformation?

PJ: Society has a key role to play in the rehabilitation of offenders. Barriers need to broken down and an fresh hope needs to be given to offenders wishing to change and move on

P:What according to you needs to be done to improve prison conditions further?

PJ: Prison regimes’need to become less victimizing and less punishing becoming more therapeutic in nature,giving and communicating hope to the prisoner

-(As told to Nitika Nagar)