The potential of prison-based democratic therapeutic communities

• Date: 13 March 2017
• Published date: 13 March 2017
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-08-2016-0036
• Pages: 19-24
• Author: Jamie Bennett,Richard Shuker
• Subject Matter: Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Prisoner health,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice

The potential of prison-based democratic

therapeutic communities

Jamie Bennett and Richard Shuker

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.

Keywords Criminal justice system, Prison, Rehabilitation, Prisoners, Psychological health,Prison psychiatry

Paper type Case study

Introduction

In 1962, HM Prison Grendon in the UK opened as the first democratic therapeutic community

(TC) prison. Over half a century later, it continues to operate successfully within the public sector,

despite changing political and penal climates (for a history of TCs in the UK including Grendon,

see Genders and Player, 1995; Stevens, 2013). This paper will provide a brief overview of the

work of Grendon and the evidence of its effectiveness, before closing by discussing the potential

to not only offer a distinctive intervention but also to influence wider penal practice.

Grendon is a category B prison (in the UK, security categories run from the highest, category A, to

the lowest, category D), holding up to 230 residents. It is comprised of a 40 place assessment unit,

where men spend the first three to six months, and four communities that also have around 40 places,

where men are allocated following assessment and remain for at least two years. There is additionally

a 20 place unit offering a form of democratic TC for men with mild to moderate learning disabilities and

difficulties. This unit offers a specialized treatment but is socially integrated as part of the whole prison

in shared activities such as gymnasium, employment, education and religious services.

The prison largely holds men with indeterminate sentences who have committed serious violent

or sexual offences. The nature of these sentences is that the men will serve a minimum period of

time in prison, which is specified by the sentencing court, but will only be released once they have

served this period if the independent parole board assess that it is safe to do so. In order to be

accepted into Grendon, men have to voluntarily apply. The first stage to the assessment

comprises a paper-based screening process involving the security department and a therapist.

The criteria include that they are convicted and sentenced, have at least 18 months left on their

sentence, “treatment readiness”(indicated by no recent involvement in violence, drug use or self-

harm), and no active systems of major mental illness. The next assessment stage involves

residents participating in a three to six months assessment process on a dedicated TC. During

this time motivation and suitability for inclusion in psychotherapy are assessed further.

Received 5 August 2016

Revised 5 December 2016

23 December 2016

Accepted 5 January 2017

Jamie Bennett is the Governor

at HM Prison Grendon and

Springhill, Aylesbury, UK and a

Research Associate at the

University of Oxford,

Oxford, UK.

Richard Shuker is the Head of

Clinical Services at HM Prison

Grendon and Springhill,

Aylesbury, UK.

DOI 10.1108/IJPH-08-2016-0036 VOL. 13 NO. 1 2017, pp. 19-24, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1744-9200

j

INTERNATIONALJOURNAL OF PRISONER HEALTH

j

PAG E 19