RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06404502

Feasibility and Acceptability of PRISMA for Prisoners in Switzerland

Feasibility and Acceptability of PRISMA for Prisoners in Switzerland - a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

Sponsor

University of Zurich

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

Dec 8, 2023

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Psychological Distress Depression Anxiety Suicidal Ideation

Summary

In response to the significant mental health challenges faced by pretrial detainees, the Swiss Federal Justice Department has initiated a model trial in pretrial detention centres in Zurich and Bern. This model trial, named in German as a "Modellversuch," is designed to enhance detainees' wellbeing and evaluates various interventions through a randomized controlled trial. The "Prison Stress Management" (PRISMA) programme, a key intervention derived from the WHO's cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies, seeks to address the lack of mental health support within jails. The goal of this pilot RCT is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of PRISMA for inmates inform a full-scale, definitive randomized controlled trial.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria2

Entering pretrial detention inmate in any of the 11 pretrial detention facilities in the Cantons of Zurich and Bern
aged ≥ 18 years

Exclusion Criteria3

Not fluently speaking any of the nine languages in which PRISMA is offered: German, Albanian, Arabic, English, French, Italian, Romanian, Serbian/ Croatian, Spanish
Acute suicidality
Not interested in PRISMA and its randomized evaluation

Interventions

BEHAVIORALPRISMA

PRISMA has been developed adapting PM+, a brief, psychological intervention program based on CBT techniques that are empirically supported and formally recommended by the WHO. The adapted manual was developed to tailor the sessions to the structure of the Swiss prison system and the needs of inmates of jails in Switzerland. PRISMA involves the following elements: stress management, problem-solving, meaningful activities and relapse prevention PRISMA has four core features: * Evidence-based problem-solving strategies * Brief and easy to learn * Delivered by lay-helpers ("trainers") * Transdiagnostic, addressing depression, anxiety, stress, and practical problems as defined by participants; PRISMA has four sessions.