About Book

This book offers an insightful alternative perspective to offender rehabilitation, focusing on the democratic therapeutic community (TC) model developed over 50 years in some English prisons. Unlike the more common cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation programs, the TC approach is based on group psychotherapy in a supportive, community-like prison environment. Stevens draws on original research with prisoners ("residents") and staff in three TC prisons, exploring how inmates adapt to this rehabilitative method, the development of caring relationships, and how they contribute to the community’s governance and safety. The book highlights the transformative potential of therapeutic communities in fostering personal change and social responsibility among long-term prisoners convicted of serious offenses. --- ### 🌐 **Relevance with the Current Era and Community Engagement Mechanism** In an era where cognitive-behavioral therapies dominate offender rehabilitation, this book provides a valuable counterpoint emphasizing community-based, relational approaches within prison settings. The focus on therapeutic communities is especially relevant to efforts aiming to humanize prisons, promote mental health, and reduce recidivism through social connectedness and peer support. Its practical insights into offender self-governance and collective responsibility align well with community engagement models advocating empowerment and participatory rehabilitation strategies. --- ### 🧾 **Final Verdict** A well-researched and engaging account of therapeutic communities in offender rehabilitation, this book is highly recommended for practitioners, prison psychologists, criminologists, and policymakers seeking alternatives or complements to standard cognitive-behavioral methods. Its emphasis on relational dynamics and community governance makes it an important resource for progressive rehabilitation practices. --- ### 📊 **Evaluation of the Book** | **Criterion** | **Score (out of 10)** | **Comment** | | ------------------------------------------- | --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Thematic Relevance (Rehabilitation Focus) | 9 | Focuses on therapeutic communities as a unique rehabilitation model. | | Community Engagement Mechanism | 9 | Strong emphasis on peer relationships and community self-management. | | Innovation in Approach | 8 | Alternative to mainstream cognitive-behavioral models; relatively rare approach. | | Contemporary Relevance | 8 | Relevant for current prison reform and mental health in correctional settings. | | Academic Rigor and Research Base | 8 | Based on original qualitative research with residents and staff. | | Usability for Practitioners and Students | 8 | Practical insights for prison rehabilitation professionals. | | Inclusion of Global or Diverse Perspectives | 6 | Primarily focused on English prisons; some lessons may be context-specific. | --- ### ✅ **Suitability Percentage for GRACE Repository** **85% Suitable** **Justification**: Highly relevant for rehabilitation, desistance, and community engagement themes within criminal justice. Valuable for mental health and therapeutic approaches in offender management, with moderate limitation in geographic scope.