HMP Grendon Research Articles

Prison-based democratic therapeutic communities, medication, and the power to exclude.

In 1962, the first custodial Democratic Therapeutic Community (DTC) was established in the English prison estate at HMP Grendon. Today, the Category B male prison estate in England and Wales has three DTCs and three 'TC+' units for prisoners with learning disabilities. There is one DTC in the female estate at HMP Send. The services fall under the remit of the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway, a jointly commissioned initiative that aims to provide a pathway of psychologically informed services for a highly complex and challenging group of prisoners who are likely to have a severe personality disorder. Several of these units make clear that prisoners prescribed psychotropic medicines are specifically excluded from entry and participation in the available therapy. This analysis paper explores whether an evidence-based rationale exists for this practice and examines the impact on those whose care pathways may comprise hospitals and prisons.

Providing Treatment in a Prison-Based Therapeutic Community for Those Who Have Committed Sexual Offences.

This article explores some of the difficulties inherent in managing risk in those who have committed sexual or other violent offences and how this may impact on their ability to re-integrate into the community. It discusses the work undertaken at HMP Grendon, a prison-based therapeutic community (TC), to address these difficulties and help residents develop a pro-social lifestyle starting in custody and continuing on release. The article aims to describe how the TC model offers a containing and adaptive environment, and how this can provide opportunities to address offence-related behaviour, which is not always possible in other prison settings. Furthermore, it describes some of the difficulties inherent in undertaking work of this nature, in the need for an accurate understanding of the relevant areas of risk, and the tensions developing a therapeutic relationship with individuals with complex needs. Methods of assessment of risk and need are discussed, and how they are used in a collaborative manner to have the most accurate picture of what will help residents to maintain their pro-social lifestyle on release.

Social distancing in a social therapy environment

Purpose This paper aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a prison-based therapeutic community (TC). Design/methodology/approach The paper takes the form of a case study where the authors reflect on their current practice, using the findings of research on social isolation and the overarching TC principles to explore the effect of the pandemic on the TC at HMP Grendon. The authors consider how the residents and staff adjusted to the change as the parameters changed when the social distancing rules were imposed and how they adapted to the prolonged break to therapy. Sections in the paper were written by a resident and an operational member of staff. The authors conclude with their thoughts on how to manage the consequences the lockdown has brought and start to think about what returning to “normality” might mean. Findings The paper describes the adjustments made by the residents and staff as the UK Government imposed the lockdown. The authors, including a resident and an operational member of staff comment on the psychological and practical impact these adjustments had. The thought is given to the idea of “recovery”, returning to “normality” and how this study can be best managed once restrictions are lifted. Research limitations/implications At the time of writing, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at HMP Grendon. The measures and commitment from all staff and residents in the prison to keep the prison environment safe may in part account for this. This paper explores the effects of lockdown on the emotional environment in a TC and highlights the consequences that social isolation can have on any individual. To the authors’ knowledge, there is currently no research undertaken on the impact of lockdown/social isolation on a TC. This research would be useful, as the authors postulate from reflections on current practice that the effects of the lockdown will be greater in a social therapy environment. Originality/value HMP Grendon started in 1962, as this time there have been no significant events that have meant the suspension of therapy for such a sustained period. It is, therefore, important that the impact of such is considered and reflected upon.

Prison democratic therapeutic communities: Treatment experiences and staff resilience, presented by staff of HMP Grendon, hosted and introduced by Laura Jacobs

Prison democratic therapeutic communities: Treatment experiences and staff resilience, presented by staff of HMP Grendon, hosted and introduced by Laura Jacobs

Treatment within a prison-based Therapeutic Community (TC): Experiences of extended assessment services, the impact of TC treatment, and interventions at HMP Grendon

Treatment within a prison-based Therapeutic Community (TC): Experiences of extended assessment services, the impact of TC treatment, and interventions at HMP Grendon

HMP Grendon therapeutic community: the residents’ perspective of the process of change

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest HMP Grendon therapeutic community (TC) reduces recidivism and increases positive emotional and social well-being. Less is known about the factors that influence these positive impacts from the prisoner’s perspective. This paper discusses the factors perceived as most effective in changing behaviour, from the residents of HMP Grendon.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire based on different aspects of the programme measured perceived importance of different aspects. Semi-structured interviews explored these issues in greater depth and detail and the framework approach was utilised to analyse the data.FindingsQuestionnaire data suggested small group therapy, discussing offence impact, resolving problems with others, feeling responsible for self and actions, and open communication were perceived as the most important factors in terms of “what works”. Qualitative interviews supported these findings, and feeling safe, as well as trusting and supportive relationships with other residents and staff were seen as an integral part of the process of change. The analysis also identified some areas for improvement.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper offers insights into the process of change for residents, how the components of the TC experience are valued and their perceived impact, offering an updated understanding from the residents’ perspective, and also identifies areas for improvement. This is valuable for current and future TCs for planning and development. It is limited by the cross-sectional nature and relatively small number of factors considered.Originality/valueThis paper offers unique insights into why and how Grendon TC works from the residents’ perspective, using a large sample and appropriate qualitative methodology.

Working with suicide risk in offenders: a review of training at HMP Grendon

Purpose Rates of suicide in custodial settings continued to rise in the year 2013/2014. Consequently, the Division of Forensic Psychology funded training on “working with risk of suicide” which was delivered by Dr Slade at HMP Grendon. Due to the increasing prevalence of suicide in custodial settings, a review of this training was considered important to enhance professionals’ awareness of self-harm and suicide. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The review begins with an introduction to the concepts of self-harm and suicide, and an introduction to where the training was held; HMP Grendon, a therapeutic community prison. The four key topics delivered by Dr Slade are then explored with regards to their aims and content. These topics include; the link between self-harm and suicide, why offenders harm themselves, assessment of suicide and finally, care planning. Residents of HMP Grendon also discussed their views of self-harm and suicide during the training day, these are thus explored within this review. Strength and weaknesses of the training were also explored, in addition to future practice considerations. Findings This review highlights the comprehensiveness of the training and its ability to engage the audience through discussions and activities. The collaboration between professionals and HMP Grendon residents to understand self-harm and suicide was also particularly noted. Originality/value This paper offers insight into the staff-resident collaboration at HMP Grendon and how training on self-harm and suicide can be delivered.

An exploration of clients’ experiences of group therapy

Purpose– Much previous research has explored the impact of group work on the therapist. The purpose of this paper is to examine how group members tolerate the powerful material discussed in groups in a prison-based therapeutic community. The authors briefly describe the regime at HMP Grendon and previous research into the impact of group work on therapists.Design/methodology/approach– A qualitative approach using a focus group was used to explore the impact of group work from the perspective of the group members. Themes emerging from the focus group were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006). Participants included adult male violent and sexual offenders (n=10). The focus group was facilitated by two therapists, both based within HMP Grendon.Findings– Overarching themes emerged from the data which included – the type of material that has an impact on residents; the impact of this material on group members; and how residents manage it. A series of subthemes within these were identified, with salient themes including: the difficulty in listening to others offence histories and past experiences, managing the feelings of guilt and shame which can be overwhelming, feeling vulnerable/exposed, experiencing positive feelings for the first time as well as the benefits of therapy in eliciting change.Research limitations/implications– Uniquely the current study explores the impact of group therapy from the perspective of the group members. This is a previously unexplored area of research. As the study was conducted on a prison sample, it is unclear how well the findings would generalise to other populations. As such it is recommended that further research be conducted to validate the findings here.Practical implications– The present study indicates that group members process transference and counter-transference similar to therapists. It is suggested that therapists can use these findings to build resilience in group members.Originality/value– Previous research has described the impact of group work on therapists, uniquely this paper goes on to describe how group members process the material they are exposed to and how they manage their heightened emotions rather than acting on them. This should help therapists consider how best to develop resilience in group members.

One intervention for ex-service personnel in custody: The Veterans group at HMP Grendon

One intervention for ex-service personnel in custody: The Veterans group at HMP Grendon

Imagining the injured child: Engaging the social at a therapeutic community prison in Britain

Drawing on a comparison with the supermax (solitary confinement) prison in the United States, this article explores the meaning and social circulation of narratives of childhood trauma at HMP Grendon, a therapeutic community prison in Britain. Grendon prisoners incorporate the haunting effects of abuse and neglect into practices of group therapy and communal solidarity, in contrast to the persecution and repression characteristic of interactions in supermax. These differences are discussed in relation to historical changes in the framing of incarcerated personhood and the ‘death of the rehabilitative ideal’ in the United States.

Race and Power

Race and prisons are deeply intertwined in England and Wales and in other countries. Minority groups not only are overrepresented but also experience the weight and pain of imprisonment more acutely. However, democratic therapeutic community prisons such as HMP Grendon in the United Kingdom offer an alternative to mainstream imprisonment, using communal living as a means to explore psychotherapeutic issues in a humane and effective way. The primary aim of this article is to explore the potential and limitations of prison-based therapeutic communities in responding to individual needs and the wider structural constraints that shape race and ethnicity in contemporary society. The article sets out the context in which these communities operate, in particular the ways in which both prisons and clinical practice are implicated in the flow of racialized power. The article goes on to discuss the features of therapeutic communities that can challenge, confront, disentangle, and reorder aspects of power, inequality, and identity. The article concludes that while therapeutic communities do not provide a utopian answer to the structural problems of race and power, they do offer the potential for a more sensitive internal environment and enable individuals to act with conscious and considered agency in their own lives.

An Exploration of Cultural Sensitivity

In seeking to provide a custodial therapeutic environment able to meet the diverse needs of every prisoner, an understanding of the background and cultural heritage of each individual is an essential component of a comprehensive assessment, case formulation, and therapeutic engagement. It is especially important for prisoners whose historical, systemic, social, and familial backgrounds deviate from those of the White British majority. This study, through qualitative interviews, explored the experiences of eight randomly selected Black or Minority Ethnic (BME) prisoners (within this study this refers to prisoners who did not identify themselves as being White British1) who had been engaged in therapy for a minimum of 12 months, to determine how culturally sensitive HMP Grendon, as a therapeutic community prison, was to their culture and backgrounds. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results indicated that Grendon’s BME prisoners experienced a lack of cultural sensitivity when engaging with the therapeutic process. Five main themes emerged: therapy and cultural values; relating to others; cultural competency; cultural understanding/awareness; and responses to experiences. Ways identified to improve this include increased staff awareness and providing increased opportunities for BME prisoners to share their experiences.

Black men, therapeutic communities and HMP Grendon

Purpose – This article is concerned with exploring the experience of black prisoners at HMP Grendon, the only prison in the country that operates wholly as a therapeutic community (TC).Design/methodology/approach – The study involved undertaking semi‐structured interviews with 11 prisoners, all identifying themselves as “black”, who had committed a range of offences, as well as representing several geographical locations from the UK, Africa and the Caribbean. An adapted form of grounded theory was used to code the data collected from these interviews.Findings – In total, four main themes emerged from the interviews undertaken: Grendon; Father deficit; Self‐concept; and Desistance.Research limitations/implications – Grendon may be the recipient of a culture of mistrust amongst black prisoners within the wider prison estate. Consequently, black prisoners' narratives could provide some much needed clarity on black prisoners operating from an “outsider within” perspective in the predominantly white TCs at Gre...

In Praise of the Carceral Tour: Learning from the Grendon Experience

Abstract: This article is a response to Piché and Walby's (2010) criticism of ‘carceral tours’. It uses 40 reflective accounts, completed by final year students at Birmingham City University, of their visit to HMP Grendon – an annual visit which has been ongoing for ten years – to argue that this ‘carceral tour’ has pedagogical value to the students and is also important to the prisoners and prison staff.

Offence paralleling behaviour and the custodial good life at HMP Grendon

This paper is a summary of a presentation at the DFP conference discussing what constitutes offence paralleling behaviour (OPB) in a therapeutic community and the opportunity the environment presents to develop and practise a ‘custodial good life’.

Supporting uniformed officers delivering therapy within a prison therapeutic community for sexual offenders

HMP Grendon operates as a series of therapeutic communities (TCs), one of which is for sex offenders who have committed very serious sexual offences, many against children and young adults. Prison officers, who form a significant part of the multidisciplinary staff team, have both therapeutic and discipline responsibilities. It is therefore essential that processes are in place to enable these officers to manage emotions evoked from hearing unpleasant material of a sexual nature and to prevent this exposure negatively impacting upon the way their custodial duties are performed. This paper outlines the different support mechanisms available to prison officers and their views on these arrangements.

Introduction to the Special Issue on ‘Fifty Years of HMP Grendon’

The Howard Journal of Criminal JusticeVolume 49, Issue 5 p. 425-430 Introduction to the Special Issue on ‘Fifty Years of HMP Grendon’ MICHAEL BROOKES, MICHAEL BROOKES Director of Therapeutic Communities, HMP Grendon; Visiting Professor, Birmingham City UniversitySearch for more papers by this author MICHAEL BROOKES, MICHAEL BROOKES Director of Therapeutic Communities, HMP Grendon; Visiting Professor, Birmingham City UniversitySearch for more papers by this author First published: 11 November 2010 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2311.2010.00634.xCitations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume49, Issue5Special Issue: Fifty Years of HMP Grendon: Edited by Michael Brookes and Richard ShukerDecember 2010Pages 425-430 RelatedInformation

Risking Therapy

Abstract: Drawing on a focused ethnographic study at HMP Grendon, this article examines how the notion of ‘risk’ enters into therapeutic community (TC) practice. The development and interpretation of risk are placed in the context of Grendon's history and relationship to the prison service of England and Wales, and prisoner and staff responses to risk assessment are described. Comparison with the ‘dead end’ of risk avoidance in the US supermax model leads to the suggestion that at Grendon the category of risk itself undergoes change as a result of the TC's unique relationship to prison culture.

Penal Policy File No. 127

The Howard Journal of Criminal JusticeVolume 49, Issue 5 p. 517-544 Penal Policy File No. 127 June – August 2010 TONY FOWLES, TONY FOWLESSearch for more papers by this authorDAVID WILSON, DAVID WILSONSearch for more papers by this author TONY FOWLES, TONY FOWLESSearch for more papers by this authorDAVID WILSON, DAVID WILSONSearch for more papers by this author First published: 11 November 2010 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2311.2010.00642.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume49, Issue5Special Issue: Fifty Years of HMP Grendon: Edited by Michael Brookes and Richard ShukerDecember 2010Pages 517-544 RelatedInformation

Developing a fantasy-modification programme in a democratic therapeutic community at HMP Grendon

This paper briefly describes the development of a fantasy-modification programme designed to integrate skills through which to manage inappropriate sexual or violent fantasies within a democratic therapeutic community (DTC) accredited for offenders. Residents participated in a pilot programme and then continued to discuss how they applied the skills learned as part of their on-going therapy.