Profile
International Journal of Nursing & Clinical Practices Volume 3 (2016), Article ID 3:IJNCP-193, 9 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.15344/2394-4978/2016/193
Research Article
Peers Engaging in Empowering Research (PEER): Finding Women's Voices after Prison

Barbara J. Pickering*, Jennifer Sputek and Gayle Rutherford

University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Barbara J. Pickering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; E-mail: bjpicker@ucalgary.ca
16 May 2016; 02 August 2016; 04 August 2016
Pickering BJ, Sputek J, Rutherford G (2016) Peers Engaging in Empowering Research (PEER): Finding Women’s Voices after Prison. Int J Nurs Clin Pract 3: 193. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15344/2394-4978/2016/193
This study was supported through a University Research Grant Committee fund.

Abstract

Background: Over a period of 18 months a group of previously incarcerated women, academics, and students gathered once a week as co-researchers to not only explore the challenges of reentering the general community post incarceration, but to be a catalyst for change in how women are supported during this vulnerable time.
Method: For this inquiry we adopted Community Based Research (CBR) as the appropriate methodology in which to gain some understanding of the needs of women as they reenter the community. The co-researchers participated in all aspects of the research project including obtaining ethics approval, recruiting participants, conducting interviews, contributing to data analysis designed the research study, and disseminating the findings. Two of the co-researchers with a history of incarceration were hired as peer researchers to engage with other women with similar histories to gather their stories and expand our knowledge of the resources required upon re-entry into the community.
Results: The central theme arising from the study was the importance of genuine human connection for the women. They needed to connect to resources, connect to peers, connect to their culture and spirituality, and connect over time. The study also demonstrated the importance of involving the women themselves in finding solutions and the benefits of using peer researchers as key members of the research team.
Conclusion: Nurses are in a unique position to connect with the women at a time when they are vulnerable and possibly in search of solutions to the issues they face. It is our hope that by sharing our findings and our experiences that others will be motivated to work together in similar ways with those who are facing immense challenges in their lives.