Jamie Bennett and Richard Shuker
The purpose of this paper is to describe the work of HMP Grendon, the only prison in the UK to operate entirely as a series of democratic therapeutic communities and to summarise…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the work of HMP Grendon, the only prison in the UK to operate entirely as a series of democratic therapeutic communities and to summarise the research of its effectiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is both descriptive, providing an overview of the work of a prison-based therapeutic community, and offers a literature review regarding evidence of effectiveness.
Findings
The work of HMP Grendon has a wide range of positive benefits including reduced levels of disruption in prison, reduced self-harm, improved well-being, an environment that is experienced as more humane and reduced levels of reoffending.
Originality/value
The work of HMP Grendon offers a well established and evidenced approach to managing men who have committed serious violent and sexually violent offences. It also promotes and embodies a progressive approach to managing prisons rooted in the welfare tradition.
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Jamie Bennett and Richard Shuker
There has been growing attention given to the concept of social climate as an element of prison practice. Research has indicated that more positive social climates can improve…
Abstract
Purpose
There has been growing attention given to the concept of social climate as an element of prison practice. Research has indicated that more positive social climates can improve safety, psychological well-being, quality of life and contribute towards reduced reoffending. The purpose of this paper is to consider how the more positive social climates found in democratic therapeutic communities are constructed and how these practices can be replicated in other settings.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a reflective practice approach. The intention is to look back at the concept of social climate in prisons and in particular within a prison-based democratic therapeutic community (DTC); draw upon research and theory in order to critically evaluate the nature and effectiveness of that social climate, and; draw wider lessons about the nurturing and maintenance of social climates that may have broader relevance in prisons.
Findings
It is concluded that understanding and managing social climate is an essential aspect of improving the safety and effectiveness of prisons. Developing practices that enhance social climate requires looking beyond mainstream prison practices, towards niches such as specialist units and prisons, including DTCs and other therapeutic communities, and psychologically informed environments, as well as looking at practices in other settings including forensic mental health. Taking this wider perspective can be source of ideas and practice that could inform a profound culture change.
Originality/value
The paper offers an attempt to understand the distinct practices that create a more positive social climate in DTCs and consider how elements of this could be exported to other prisons. This has implications for both penal theory and practice.
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Laura Jacobs and Richard Shuker
The purpose of this paper is to explore the treatment experiences of adult male perpetrators of filicide within prison therapeutic communities (TCs).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the treatment experiences of adult male perpetrators of filicide within prison therapeutic communities (TCs).
Design/methodology/approach
Participants took part in semi-structured interviews in order to capture their treatment experiences. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Findings
Five superordinate themes (therapeutic process; acceptance; insight; relationships; and barriers) and ten subordinate themes were identified. All themes were pertinent to understanding the participants’ experiences of TC treatment. The discussion provides reflections about the findings, contrasts them to psychological literature, along with suggestions for clinical practice and future research.
Originality/value
This research addressed a dearth of published literature within the area of male filicide and available treatment interventions.
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Richard Shuker and Lawrence Jones
This paper aims to review the clinical approach adopted in prison-based therapeutic communities (TCs) for working with residents who have committed sexual offences. It reviews…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review the clinical approach adopted in prison-based therapeutic communities (TCs) for working with residents who have committed sexual offences. It reviews recent research and practice developments and explores the implications for TCs.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes a “think tank” review process which explores and reviews practice. This paper discusses the current approach adopted by TCs when working with those who have sexually offended and explores changes in clinical approach which could be considered in the light of current developments.
Findings
This paper explores the implications for TCs of the recent research and wider practice developments in interventions for those who have sexually offended.
Practical implications
This paper presents clinical options for working with those who deny their offence and undertaking victim empathy and offence disclosure work. It makes recommendations regarding staff training and support. It also discusses the strengths of the TC approach and how these can be built upon.
Social implications
This paper makes recommendations concerning how practice could be improved which promotes safety and public protection and enhances resident well-being.
Originality/value
There has been no recent review of TC clinical practice for working with those who have sexually offended.
Richard Shuker and Margaret Newton
172 adult male prisoners were assessed before and after intervention in a UK prison‐based therapeutic community using psychometric measures of psychological well‐being and…
Abstract
172 adult male prisoners were assessed before and after intervention in a UK prison‐based therapeutic community using psychometric measures of psychological well‐being and offence‐related risk. All mean scores changed significantly in the expected direction. For men tested after 12 months or more, concurrent changes occurred in both domains. Significant relationships were also found between parole board assessments of risk reduction and psychometric changes. The study suggests that interventions with offenders can target offence‐related risk and mental health as clinically compatible treatment targets. Interventions with offenders may need to focus on improvements in mental health to enhance participants' readiness to address risk.