Managing difficult behaviour in a long-term prison

Abstract

Use of the term psychopathic disorder, or some related diagnostic concept, is avoided in this paper, as it is written from the perspective of a prison governor who has to manage difficult behaviour in a long-term prison. The context in which difficult behaviour is handled is vital, and this paper addresses some of the management aspects of the issues raised in the previous paper. It determines the nature of the behaviour and the options for responding to it: difficult behaviours rather than difficult individuals are the chief focus. The formal options for managers in the Prison Service are not always as effective as the informal controls exercised by staff and prisoners: indeed, the formal sanctions tend to be punitive in practice if not in theory. The special units in prisons have tried to develop a response which is therapeutic, not punitive. Access to these units is not easy and they have not been used by the Prison Service as much as was expected when they were set up. The special hospitals provide another opportunity to break the cycle of punishment and I believe there is a case for close cooperation between at least one special hospital and at least one unit as a half-way house facilitating the change of role from prisoner to patient and back to prisoner in a way that is helpful to the individual.