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Introduction
In 1962, HM Prison Grendon in the UK opened as the first democratic therapeutic community (TC) prison. Over half a century later, it continues to operate successfully within the public sector, despite changing political and penal climates (for a history of TCs in the UK including Grendon, see Genders and Player, 1995; Stevens, 2013). This paper will provide a brief overview of the work of Grendon and the evidence of its effectiveness, before closing by discussing the potential to not only offer a distinctive intervention but also to influence wider penal practice.
Grendon is a category B prison (in the UK, security categories run from the highest, category A, to the lowest, category D), holding up to 230 residents. It is comprised of a 40 place assessment unit, where men spend the first three to six months, and four communities that also have around 40 places, where men are allocated following assessment and remain for at least two years. There is additionally a 20 place unit offering a form of democratic TC for men with mild to moderate learning disabilities and difficulties. This unit offers a specialized treatment but is socially integrated as part of the whole prison in shared activities such as gymnasium, employment, education and religious services.
The prison largely holds men with indeterminate sentences who have committed serious violent or sexual offences. The nature of these sentences is that the men will serve a minimum period of time in prison, which is specified by the sentencing court, but will only be released once they have served this period if the independent parole board assess that it is safe to do so. In order to be accepted into Grendon, men have to voluntarily apply. The first stage to the assessment comprises a paper-based screening process involving the security department and a therapist. The criteria include that they are convicted and sentenced, have at least 18 months left on their sentence, “treatment readiness” (indicated by no recent involvement in violence, drug use or self-harm), and no active systems of major mental illness. The next assessment stage involves residents participating in a three to six months assessment process on a dedicated TC. During this time motivation and suitability for inclusion in psychotherapy are assessed...