Who We Are

Forensic Therapies Ltd is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. It has provided services to HMP Holloway, HMP Pentonville, HMP Brixton and HMP Wandsworth.

The work of Forensic Therapies developed over 20 years ago as a counselling service within the Bourne Trust. Following organisational changes, Lady Hall, who had worked for many years pioneering the provision of therapeutic services in prisons, founded ‘Counselling in Prison’. In 2005 this agency became an independent organisation. Over the past two years it has developed to become the foremost contemporary agency providing offence-focused therapeutic interventions to prisoners both in custody and following release. In 2008 the organisation changed its name to accurately reflect the responsibilities of its work and its relevance to the wider criminal justice system.

Provision

Services provided include offence-focused 1:1 counselling and psychotherapy, a specialist programme for women with Borderline Personality Disorder and a group treatment programme for PTSD symptom management. In 2009 we launched a unique assault minimisation programme, which will contribute to the HMPS safer prisoners policy and impact on violent crime in the community.

Evidence-based Practice

A clinical audit is carried out annually and clinical governance structures are in place to monitor standards of practice. The service is evidence-based and uses CORE as an ongoing evaluation and measurement tool. Additionally, specialist areas of our work are subject to research programmes. We have established links with research programmes at the University of Cambridge, the Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust and the Cabinet Office. Ethical approval is sought as appropriate and mechanisms for informed consent operate throughout our services.

Referrals

Referral to services come from prison officers, GPs, mental health In-reach teams, psychology depts, probation depts and prisoners themselves. Following an initial assessment an average of 12 x 1 hour sessions are provided. Longer-term work is also provided, if sentencing and residence at the prison allows.

Work Following Release

A ‘through the gate’ community-based service is available to those assessed as suitable. Liaison is maintained with the referrer and regular reports are provided. Reports are also prepared for court and parole hearings as appropriate. Liaison takes place with day care staff, prison officers, probation staff and psychologists. The agency operates an effective risk assessment and management process which is integrated into HMPS policy and procedure.

Accountability, Reporting and Integration

Forensic Therapies personnel have weekly referral meetings, clinical meetings and case reviews. Where possible these meetings take place with other professionals working to provide similar services within HMPS (e.g. counselling, psychology and psychotherapy depts). Forensic Therapies does not work in isolation and seeks to develop pathways of intervention in conjunction with other providers.

Forensic Therapies recognises the importance of providing its services using integrated models of practice and management. Our governance document therefore requires HMPS to provide us with the means to work in partnership with an identified department; this allows for increased accountability. Currently, managerial reporting occurs via the mental health providers, meetings, steering groups and meetings with departmental heads.