Does Nature Contact in Prison Improve Well-Being? Mapping Land Cover to Identify the Effect of Greenspace on Self-Harm and Violence in Prisons in England and Wales

This article presents crucial new evidence that prisons with a higher proportion of the area within their perimeter given over to natural vegetation exhibit lower levels self-harm and violence (both between prisoners toward staff). Extending prior qualitative prison-level studies find nature contact influences prisoners’ self-reported well-being, it uses geographic information systems mapping generate prison greenspace data set, capturing—for cross section in England Wales—the percentage perimeters. Econometric estimations confirm fosters prisoner there are more greenspace. These relationships statistically robust, they persist when we control for size, type, age, level crowding. findings noteworthy both extend understandings well-being custodial environments have potential significantly influence future design. The also provides important insights demonstrating links significance beyond specifics carceral environments.