The Listeners Scheme is one of the most effective mental health support programmes in UK prisons. It pairs trained prisoner Listeners with people struggling with depression, stress, or suicidal thoughts. This guide explains how Listeners work and how to access support.
What Is the Listeners Scheme?
Listeners are prisoners trained by the Samaritans to provide confidential, non-judgmental support to fellow prisoners. They’re not counsellors or staff—they’re people just like you, with real experience of prison life, who’ve been trained to listen and help.
Research shows Listeners significantly reduce suicide rates in participating prisons. They work because they offer peer understanding that professional staff sometimes can’t provide.
What Listeners Can Do
- Listen without judgment to your worries and fears
- Help you talk through difficult feelings
- Provide emotional support during crisis
- Connect you with professional help when needed
- Visit you regularly if you’re in crisis
- Help you feel less alone and isolated
- Offer perspective and coping strategies
What Listeners Cannot Do
- Provide medical advice or diagnosis
- Prescribe medication
- Make decisions for you
- Break confidentiality (except immediate danger)
- Replace professional mental health care
Accessing Listeners Support
Requesting a Listener
Getting in touch with a Listener is straightforward:
- Ask your wing officer for a Listeners contact number or request form
- Listeners numbers are posted on prison notice boards
- Request a visit to your cell
- Some prisons have Listener phone access at set times
- Leave a message if a Listener isn’t immediately available
Confidentiality
Listener conversations are completely confidential. They’re only disclosed if:
- You’re in immediate danger of harming yourself
- Someone else is in immediate danger
- There’s a serious crime being planned
Otherwise, what you tell a Listener stays between you and that Listener.
When to Contact a Listener
You can contact a Listener for any reason:
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm urges
- Depression or overwhelming sadness
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Loneliness or isolation
- Family problems or relationship stress
- Difficulty adjusting to prison
- Simply needing to talk to someone who understands
You don’t need to be in crisis to request a Listener. Many people use them for ongoing support.
What to Expect in a Listener Conversation
First Contact
A Listener will introduce themselves and ask what’s troubling you. They won’t rush or judge. They’ll listen at your pace.
During the Conversation
A Listener will:
- Let you talk without interrupting
- Ask questions to understand your situation better
- Share their own experiences if relevant (but keep focus on you)
- Help you explore your feelings and options
- Suggest coping strategies based on their experience
Ongoing Support
If you’re in crisis, a Listener may visit regularly. Even after the acute crisis passes, you can continue having Listener visits for ongoing support.
Training and Standards
Listener Training
All Listeners complete rigorous Samaritan-led training covering:
- Active listening skills
- Mental health awareness
- Suicide prevention
- Self-harm support
- Confidentiality and boundaries
- Crisis management
- Self-care (caring for themselves while supporting others)
Ongoing Support for Listeners
Listeners themselves receive regular supervision and training. They don’t do this alone—they’re supported by Samaritans staff and prison healthcare.
Combining Listeners with Professional Care
Listeners are best used alongside professional mental health care, not instead of it. A typical approach:
- You see a healthcare professional (counsellor, psychiatrist, nurse)
- You also visit a Listener for peer support
- Professional care addresses clinical needs; Listeners provide emotional support
- Together, they create comprehensive support
Supporting a Listener
Listeners give a lot emotionally. You can support them by:
- Recognising their effort and commitment
- Respecting confidentiality boundaries
- Not expecting them to solve everything
- Thanking them for their time
- Remembering they’re also prisoners dealing with their own struggles
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will a Listener tell staff what I say?
A: No. Listener conversations are confidential unless there’s immediate danger. Staff may not even know you’re seeing a Listener unless you choose to tell them.
Q: What if I don’t connect with the first Listener?
A: You can request a different Listener. Sometimes personal connection matters. There’s no obligation to stick with someone if the relationship isn’t working.
Q: Is the Listeners Scheme available in all prisons?
A: Most UK prisons participate, but not all. Ask your wing officer if your prison has an active Listeners programme. If not, ask about alternative peer support.
Q: Can I be a Listener?
A: Yes, if you’re interested. Ask your wing officer about Listener recruitment and training. Many prisons actively seek new Listeners.
Q: What if I need professional help beyond what a Listener can provide?
A: A good Listener will help connect you with healthcare and professional services. That’s part of their role—knowing when and how to escalate to professional care.
Q: How long does Listener support usually last?
A: It depends on your needs. Some people see a Listener for a few weeks during a crisis, others for ongoing support over months. You’re in control of duration and frequency.
Key Takeaways
- Listeners are trained prisoners providing peer support
- Conversations are confidential and non-judgmental
- They’re available 24/7 in most prisons
- Support is free and completely voluntary
- Listeners work alongside professional mental health care, not instead of it
If you’re struggling, contact a Listener. They understand prison life. They understand struggle. And they’re there to help.
