Grendon: A Study of a Therapeutic Prison: (Clarendon Studies in Criminology)

Grendon Prison opened in 1962, originally intended to investigate and treat prisoners whose crimes had recognisable psychiatric causes. Thirty years later, its radical ideas of the rehabilitation of prisoners through psychological or psychotherapeutic treatment have been embraced by the Woolf Report, which clearly committed the Prison Service to a rehabilitation ambition. Based upon interviews with prisoners and prison staff, this new study of a 'model' prison will be of interest to criminologists, penologists and prison staff everywhere.

Review :
` The book is based upon an unusually thorough approach to research with the two authors spending more than two years visiting the prison, conducting in-depth interviews, observing and simply asking `why'. The Guardian `If anyone needs further persuasion of the spell Grendon casts they need look no further than this book which provides convincing evidence of the effectiveness of their unique regime ... Buy the book.' AMBoV Quarterly `The book is based upon an unusually thorough approach to research with the two authors spending more than two years visiting the prison ... The findings are remarkably positive.' The Guardian `'this important book...The work is enhanced by an excellent written style...No-one involved in or concerned about the management of deviant conduct and the theoretical constructs that underpin it can ignore this book. In my view it should take its place alongside older classics'' The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice `'a judicious mixture of quantitative and qualitative research, the latter entailing being deeply engaged with the life of each of the therapeutic wings through participant observation. The skill with which this was done can only be admired...Those research findings make fascinating reading about a fascinating institution...This book reads well. The people who make up the community are present in the pages and the flavour of the place is caught and conveyed.'' Therapeutic Communities `'a long overdue, fascinating and stimulating account of the therapeutic regime running at HMP Grendon in Oxfordshire...The authors account of the actual research process is exemplary...Grendon is a very good study.'' Forensic Update `'this book is a thoroughly good read, not a heavy academic tome over-burdened by 'professionalese'...Anyone in society interested in the subject of penal philosophy should read this book. Every medical officer in every prison in the land should have it as required reading and prisoners have a strong vested interest in studying its contents as it could have very direct influence on their lives...a worthwhile education in the English penal system's internal struggle with the criminal justice debate on how to handle offenders...Whether for a serious researcher or a casual reader, this book has much to offer.'' Political Studies `'The publishers and their sponsors are to be congratulated on their initiative in producing this volume as part of a new series of 'Clarendon Studies in Criminology'...The authors have produced an excellent account of their work, which is obviously essential reading for anyone interested in forensic psychiatry in this country. I would also recommend the book to anyone wishing to produce their research in an interesting and readable form.'' Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health `'this well-researched and carefully argued study lucidly describes its unique ethos and its methods of control and therapy.'' LCCJ Newsletter