This presentation demonstrates how a prison-based therapeutic community addresses the treatment needs associated with offending. It starts by explaining the model of a therapeutic community and how it runs in the unique prison which is HMP Grendon. Subsequently, a case study illustrates the use groups within a therapeutic community.

Dr. Geraldine Akerman is a Therapy Manager, a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, accredited with the Health Care Professions Council as a Registered Psychologist Practitioner, Chartered Scientist, Registered EuroPsy Psychologist, Supervisor and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Geraldine has been employed by the Prison Service since January 1999, working with perpetrators of sexual and violent offences. Geraldine was awarded a PhD by the University of Birmingham. Geraldine is a member of the Division of Forensic Psychology Executive Committee, Association for Treatment of Abusers (ATSA ATSA promotes the philosophy that empirically based assessment, practice, management, and policy strategies

will: enhance community safety, reduce sexual recidivism, protect victims and vulnerable populations, transform the lives of those caught in the web of sexual violence, and illuminate paths to prevent sexual abuse.), The National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers (NOTA) research committee and the International Association of Forensic Psychotherapists (IAFP) and has worked at HMP Grendon since January 2005.