A synthesis of outcome research at Grendon Therapeutic Community Prison

This paper summarises outcome research conducted at Grendon therapeutic community prison. Research into the quality of prison life has shown that, overall, prisoners perceive their quality of life at Grendon more positively than offenders in other prisons of the same category, particularly with regard to dignity, personal development, and relationships between prisoners and staff. In addition, prisoners and staff at Grendon tend to perceive the social climate to be more positive than that of other secure settings in the UK. Studies which have evaluated changes in the psychological wellbeing and attitudes of prisoners have found that, following treatment at Grendon, offenders experience less anxiety and depression, are less hostile, tough-minded and impulsive, and have fewer negative relating tendencies. Furthermore, Grendon residents are less likely to be reconvicted than prisoners selected for Grendon but who do not come to Grendon, and those who remain in treatment for at least 18 months demonstrate a reduction in reconviction rate of between one-fifth and one-quarter.