ABSTRACT
Opened in 1962, HMP Grendon adopted the therapeutic community treatment model to fulfil the remit it was given to develop a psychotherapeutic regime with enlightened staff–inmate relationships. Positive appraisals of Grendon by Ministers, Senior Prison Service officials and by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons led to the creation of therapeutic communities at HMP Dovegate, HMP Gartree and HMP Warren Hill and, for women prisoners, at HMP Send. The contribution that prison therapeutic communities make to changing the lives of offenders has also now been recognised in the government's national offender personality disorder strategy. This was in response to outcome studies demonstrating that those serving part of their prison sentence in a therapeutic community respond to an environment which encourages personal development, the attainment of life goals and constructive relationships with staff and other prisoners. Such a milieu led to enhanced psychological well-being and reduced anxiety and depression, combined with lower levels of hostility, tough-mindedness and impulsiveness. Improved attitudes further resulted in lower levels of institutional misconduct. It additionally led to a reduction in reoffending for those who they remained in treatment for at least 18 months. This chapter will consider why these changes occur despite therapeutic community life being considered much tougher than in other prisons.
