RT Article T1 Peer support as a bridge for participation in prison activities and services: A qualitative study with foreign national prisoners JF Criminology & criminal justice VO 23 IS 1 SP 39 OP 59 A1 Croux, Flore A2 De Donder, Liesbeth A2 Claes, Bart A2 Vandevelde, Stijn A2 Brosens, Dorien LA English YR 2023 UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1831110431 AB This paper investigates the role of informal peer support as a bridge for participation by foreign national prisoners in prison activities (e.g. education, work, sports activities, library) and services (e.g. psychologist, doctor). A total of 51 individual interviews, following an appreciative inquiry perspective, were conducted with foreign nationals in four prisons in Flanders (Belgium). In terms of leading foreign nationals to prison activities and services, the findings reveal four types of informal peer support: informational support, instrumental support, emotional support, and social companionship. Moreover, during participation in these prison activities and services, three types of informal peer support emerged: informational support, instrumental support, and social companionship. Peer support seems to be a ‘form of survival’ for foreign nationals to overcome barriers experienced in accessing prison activities and services and difficulties during participation in such prison activities and services. K1 Social Support K1 prison activities and services K1 Participation K1 informal peer support K1 Foreign nationals DO 10.1177/17488958211031347