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The purpose of this paper is to use lived experience and research to bridge the gap between LGBTQ+ policy and practice in prisons. The authors hope that this paper will ignite debate and lead to the development of policy, training and awareness across the prison estate in the United Kingdom (UK).

This paper draws on the lived experiences of a serving prisoner, who has co-authored this paper. He identifies as gay. His examples of life behind bars depict the clear disconnect between policy and its application in practice. The authors have drawn on aspects of lived experience which best highlight gaps in policy and they have then used these to inform and justify the recommendations at the end of this paper.

This paper found that there is a clear disconnect between policy and practice in relation to supporting LGBTQ+ people in the prison estate. The findings highlight the haphazard approach to risk assessments and the manipulation of policy by both staff and prisoners.

There is some research on the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in prisons in the UK, albeit limited. The authors recognise that drawing on the lived experiences of individuals calls into question the reliability of the findings and implications that they have proposed. However, these experiences do align with the existing research. There is an urgent need for further research into the experiences of LGBTQ+ people within prisons.

This paper is intended to ignite debate on the experiences and rights of LGBTQ+ prisoners. Implementing the recommendations that are outlined in this article will help to create a more consistent approach to the application of LGBTQ+ prisoners’ rights.

LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience poor mental health. Implementing the policy recommendations will help to create more inclusive cultures within prisons. In addition, the recommendations seek to foster the development of positive attitudes through developing educational resources which aim to challenge discrimination and prejudice. This furthers the advancement of social justice and inclusion, not just in prisons but also in the community. Prisoners returning to the community are more likely to enter it with healthy and inclusive values in relation to LGBTQ+.

This paper draws on the lived experiences of a serving long-term prisoner. Thus, it provides a valuable and unique insight into day-to-day life in the prison system. This insight is valuable to both policy makers and researchers who are seeking to develop a better, more informed understanding of life behind bars for LGBTQ+ prisoners.

The research presented in this paper deepens our understanding of the experience of apprentices and employers engaged in degree apprenticeships.

The research is focused upon ten in depth interviews. Data collection and analysis was undertaken following a grounded theory approach.

The data analysis identified broad themes relating to original motivation, experience and outcomes of the degree apprenticeship. Apprentices and their employers highlighted the potential of real-life work-based projects undertaken as part of the degree apprenticeship to be of direct value not only to the apprentice but also to the employer organisation.

The study was exploratory in nature and based upon ten interviews across five different organisations. Although the methodology followed a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis, it is not claimed that there was the data saturation required as the basis to generate theory. The research provides insight to inform how apprentices, employers and degree apprenticeship providers might effectively work together.

The study is based on authentic first-hand accounts from apprentices and their employers. It identifies key themes of common interest, which suggest how future practice may be improved. The research suggests that work-based projects conducted as part of the degree apprenticeship have the potential to make a wider contribution to the employer organisation by increasing productivity.