An Exploratory Study From Two Danish Prisons Preliminary findings from the Danish Prisonchess pilot at the open prisons Kragskovhede and Renbæk. The research is exploratory and continues alongside the pilot. Jacob Søndergaard Christensen, PhD · NSfK Research Seminar 2026 Open prisons in the pilot Structured chess every week Research interviews Highly recommend the programme Preliminary Findings Themes recur across survey responses, interviews and observation. 01 Improved concentration, calm and mental focus. Chess offers a structured opportunity to pause and consider consequences. 02 New connections across prison units and more constructive contact between inmates and prison officers. 03 A calmer atmosphere, less distance and more dialogue can support everyday safety. Why Dynamic Security Matters Dynamic security depends on professional relationships, communication, observation and a stable daily environment—not only physical control. Shared play can temporarily soften the traditional “us versus them” divide. “Before I got angry. Now we joke about it.” Research Design Several kinds of evidence make it possible to compare what participants report with what researchers observe. Registration data from programme sessions. Responses from 31 participants. Ten inmates and four prison officers. Four and a half hours across the two prisons. The findings are preliminary and should not be read as a final impact evaluation or proof of causality. Research Presentation View the eleven-slide presentation from the NSfK Research Seminar 2026. Continue The Conversation Contact Prisonchess to discuss implementation, collaboration or further research.Prisonchess
& Dynamic SecurityCan Structured Chess Strengthen Focus, Relationships And Safety?
2
90 min.
14
87%
Three Connected Areas Of Change
Personal Effects
Social Effects
Dynamic Security
Safety Is Also Built Through Relationships
— InmateHow The Study Was Conducted
Participation Records
Mini-Survey
Fourteen Interviews
Direct Observation
Explore The Study
Interested In The Programme Or Research?
Research & Findingsprisonchess2026-07-28T10:33:55+00:00