Pioneering Study Reveals the Remarkable Benefits of Table Tennis in Prisons
According to a groundbreaking study conducted by Professor Rosie Meek of Royal Holloway University on behalf of Table Tennis England, the sport of table tennis has been found to have a significant positive impact on the psychological, social, and physical well-being of prisoners.
The research, funded by a grant from Sport England, aimed to explore the influence of table tennis in various prison settings where it is already a popular activity. Professor Meek evaluated the impact of table tennis in an open male prison in the north, a women’s facility in the south, and a Young Offenders’ Institution in the same region.
“The findings were gathered through interviews with prisoners, as well as reflections and submissions from prison staff and a community coach delivering the sessions.”
The project, which was initially delayed by the pandemic, has now been completed, and the results are nothing short of remarkable. Table tennis has been identified as a crucial tool for improving the psychological, social, and physical well-being of inmates, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis. The sport has also proven beneficial in working with children who have experienced trauma, and as an effective means of encouraging prisoners who would not typically engage in physical activity.
Crucially, the study found that the provision of high-quality equipment played a significant role in increased table tennis participation, while the social aspect of the sport was particularly valued in the women’s prison.
Expanding Table Tennis Offerings in Prisons
Table Tennis England is now exploring ways to further collaborate with the prison sector, based on the insights gained from this comprehensive evaluation. This could include expanding table tennis offerings at more sites and upskilling prison physical education staff to deliver the sport more effectively.
Jade Griffiths, Table Tennis England’s Data and Insight Executive, expressed the organization’s pride in being able to provide more opportunities for people to access table tennis, a sport that has already demonstrated its various benefits in the prison environment. Table Tennis England welcomes future partnerships with prisons or Young Offenders’ Institutions interested in introducing or expanding their table tennis programs, with the aim of contributing to the objectives of their recently launched Table Tennis United strategy.
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