Cohort Profile: A Scottish population-level study on the outcomes of people released from prison (RELEASE)

Citation

Connell C, Kjellgren R, Hunt K & Savinc J (2026) Cohort Profile: A Scottish population-level study on the outcomes of people released from prison (RELEASE). International Journal of Epidemiology, 55 (6), Art. No.: dyag220. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyag220

Abstract
First paragraph: The RELEASE cohort was established to compare the health outcomes of people who had experienced imprisonment in Scotland, with a demographically matched general-population sample who had not experienced imprisonment. The RELEASE study was originally funded by the Chief Scientist Office, Scotland (CSO; HIPS/21/54). RELEASE is now a program of studies. Funders include the CSO (HIPS/25/19) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR504345). People with imprisonment experience continue to be involved as co-investigators and through Lived Experience Advisory Panels. Additional involvement and advisory panels are set up on a per-study basis from parties spanning policy, practice, and academia.

Keywords
public health; prison; mental health; substance use; administrarive data; resettlement

• Cohort Profile: A Scottish population-level study on the outcomes of people released from prison (RELEASE)