MU researcher secures $2.8 million grant to enhance mental health support for inmates and employees

A University of Missouri researcher and social worker is investigating high incarceration and recidivism rates in the state. Kelli Canada is using a community-engaged research model to build on a recent study at the Moberly Correctional Center and improve conditions in prisons throughout Missouri.

Canada and her research team received a $2.8 million grant for a five-year project aimed at transforming life and work in four of Missouri’s prisons. They established innovation advisory groups where staff and residents collaborated to find solutions to improve living and working conditions in the prisons.

The project focused on enhancing staff training, restructuring prisons, developing skills, and creating community connections to better serve individuals with serious mental illnesses and provide them with opportunities for growth and joy in their lives. Canada believes that helping incarcerated individuals re-enter society with the necessary goals and resources will lead to long-term success.

By improving rehabilitation opportunities within prisons, Canada hopes to create better conditions for residents, staff, and anyone who interacts with the prison environment. Collaborative efforts between staff and residents in developing solutions to common issues can lead to successful implementation of positive changes that benefit everyone involved.

Canada’s ultimate goal is to ensure that individuals leaving prison have the support and resources needed to become productive members of society, fostering positive relationships within their communities and achieving long-term success in their personal and professional lives.