The potential of prison-based democratic therapeutic communities

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.

Citation

Bennett, J. and Shuker, R. (2017), "The potential of prison-based democratic therapeutic communities", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 19-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-08-2016-0036