Therapeutics of despair in the prison setting

Abstract

This article will consider the therapeutics of despair according to Kierkegaard [Kierkegaard, S. (1989). The sickness unto death: A Christian psychological exposition for edification and awakening (A. Hannay, Trans.). London: Penguin Classics.] and the forensic literature, with particular reference to despair in the prison setting. The therapeutic resolution of despair as outlined by Kierkegaard (1989) can be seen to start at a potentially different definition of therapeutics from the forensic literature which, in promoting psychotherapy for despair, focuses on the management and treatment of symptoms of despair. For Kierkegaard (1989), despair is not seen as pathology but fundamentally over the self and a characteristic of the spirit. Despair is therefore not something that can be isolated and subsequently ‘known’, and accordingly its resolution is, ultimately, a beyond [Berthold-Bond, D. (1998). Lunar musings? An investigation of Hegel's and Kierkegaard's portraits of Despair. Religious Studies, 34, 33–59.]. This is contrary to the forensic literature where despair is viewed as a pathology and psychotherapy is implicated as an appropriate treatment for patients in despair, in ensuring patient safety and promoting recovery [Towl, G.J. (Ed.). (2003). Psychology in prisons. Oxford: BPS Blackwell.]. This article will therefore consider two aspects; first, the therapeutic resolution of despair according to Kierkegaard (Berthold-Bond, 1998), and second, the forensic literature concerning despair in psychotherapy.