‘Providing therapeutic communities within prisons is the best
approach for all offenders.’
“Critically discuss” this
statement with reference to research and practice in counselling and forensic
psychology.
Please construct an argument that might favour (‘Preventing
mental illness and criminality is not possible: Time, money and resources are
better spent on treatment and/or punishment’) one position more than another
but provide a balanced evaluation and not be dismissive of the opposite view.
(2000 words)
Discuss practice and research in counselling and forensic
psychology and employ appropriate evidence to construct an argument and draw
conclusions.
Write this essay based either on topics such as ‘Prevention’
or ‘Contexts’.
The question invites you to critically discuss it using
evidence for any claims you make.
It is important to draw on additional material beyond that
contained within the module website and textbook; Mad or Bad.
This must consist of at least two articles found through a
citation search you conducted in Week 25 Activity 3.2.
You will not be able to include at least two additional articles.
The essay should be dedicated to building a reasoned argument
regarding the research, theories and practice (including ethical
considerations) supported by appropriate, referenced evidence in a way that
answers the question you select.
Although you may decide to draw a conclusion on one side of
the question or the other, it is important to consider the relative merits and
limitations of the opposite point of view.
In
planning your essay, it might be helpful to work out what stance you will be
taking, for example, measures aimed at prevention of mental health issues
and/or offending don’t work, or deciding how you think therapeutic communities
compare with other psychological approaches. In discussing the relevant
evidence and material, try to build an argument that will support this stance.
Please note that there is no correct answer to either of the questions. You
will not be marked on which approaches you come out in support of, but instead
on how you build and support your argument.
Do
not use sub-headings.
Relevant
Materials
the Mental Health Act and being sectioned. Although both
topics are not seen as preventative measures as such, they are there to prevent
the worsening of a person’s mental health and to protect them from harming
themselves and others.
Contexts
and therapeutic communities
Chapter
19
Chapter 19 ‘Contexts’
(pages 283–296 in Mad or Bad: A Critical Approach to Counselling and
Forensic Psychology) focuses on the issue of offering psychotherapy in the
prison system, so the whole chapter is relevant. The chapter looks at tensions
between psychotherapy approaches and security in prison, as well as
rehabilitation models (RNR model and Good Lives model). This is good background
to consider different psychological approaches to the therapeutic community
model.
Week
24
Week 24 focuses on HMP
Grendon, a therapeutic community prison. This material is very relevant both in
terms of understanding the therapeutic community model and providing an
opportunity to reflect on and evaluate this model. The material includes
information on the model, interviews with relevant participants, and some
evaluation.