Supporting uniformed officers delivering therapy within a prison therapeutic community for sexual offenders

Abstract

HMP Grendon operates as a series of therapeutic communities (TCs), one of which is for sex offenders who have committed very serious sexual offences, many against children and young adults. Prison officers, who form a significant part of the multidisciplinary staff team, have both therapeutic and discipline responsibilities. It is therefore essential that processes are in place to enable these officers to manage emotions evoked from hearing unpleasant material of a sexual nature and to prevent this exposure negatively impacting upon the way their custodial duties are performed. This paper outlines the different support mechanisms available to prison officers and their views on these arrangements.

Citation

Brookes, M. (2010), "Supporting uniformed officers delivering therapy within a prison therapeutic community for sexual offenders", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 15 No. 4, pp. 40-45. https://doi.org/10.5042/mhrj.2010.0738