Research Evaluation of the Table Tennis England Pilot in Three English Prisons

Although historically offered on residential units as a low-risk form of unsupervised and unstructured activity, there is growing evidence to highlight the potential positive impact that table tennis initiatives can have on the physical, psychological, and social development of incarcerated populations.
This report outlines a feasibility study of a new partnership between Table Tennis England and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), which saw resource and investment being made to support table tennis delivery in three distinct prisons – an open (low security) adult male prison in the north of England, a women’s prison, and a Young Offenders Institution (both in the south of England). Interviews with a range of stakeholders (prisoner participants, prison staff, a community coach and a representative from Table Tennis England) informed the key findings.
The findings are discussed in relation to future priorities and recommendations for an ongoing partnership between Table Tennis England and HMPPS, with wider recommendations for the successful establishment of partnerships between other sporting groups / National Governing Bodies and prisons.