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.

本文调查了非正式同伴支持作为外国囚犯参与监狱活动（例如教育、工作、体育活动、图书馆）和服务（例如心理学家、医生）的桥梁的作用。总共 51 次个人访谈，根据欣赏性调查的观点，在法兰德斯（比利时）的四所监狱中与外国人进行了访谈。在引导外国人参与监狱活动和服务方面，调查结果揭示了四种非正式的同伴支持：信息支持、工具支持、情感支持和社会陪伴。此外，期间在参与这些监狱活动和服务时，出现了三种非正式的同伴支持：信息支持、工具支持和社会陪伴。同伴支持似乎是外国人克服在获得监狱活动和服务时遇到的障碍以及在参与此类监狱活动和服务过程中遇到的困难的一种“生存形式”。