Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #14 - What Else Works ... Volume 2 (ACJ14-A007)

Article 7: Growth - An Emerging New Philosophy, to Transform Correctional Culture (ACJ14-A007)

Abstract

This article introduces a new philosophy called Growth, which can be used within correctional contexts, to reduce social harm, promote cultural change and nurture rehabilitation outcomes. Creating rehabilitative cultures provides significant benefits to both staff and people in prison. This article documents a broader methodology, which outlines how to engineer a rehabilitative environment. It will introduce the theoretical framework, which informs the Growth Project, a project which focuses on transforming prison culture. It will outline the challenges of this initiative and propose that cultural interventions can transform prison identities, from criminogenic environments to safe, relational-focused spaces, reimagining organizational and individual identity. It will highlight the key outcomes of the Growth Project to date, and end by proposing that there is an increased need to design growth-centered environments, to ignite transformative change, and ultimately reduce recidivism.

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Authors

Dr. Sarah Lewis

Director, Penal Reform Solutions

Dr. Sarah Lewis is the Director of Penal Reform Solutions, a unique organisation that aims to reduce social harm and promote social good, by transforming the culture of correctional settings, and providing preventative long-term strategies to embed change. Dr. Lewis worked within psychological interventions in Probation from 2004 before moving to the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies (University of Portsmouth), where she trained Probation Officers and taught Criminology, Penology and Criminal Psychology. Dr. Lewis is the founder of the Growth Alliance, a network of individuals and organisations who are passionate about social reform, advocating collective impact, social responsibility and changing the conversation around punishment. She specialises in correctional relationships and is the author of Therapeutic Correctional Relationships, a research informed practitioner’s guide to developing relationships and mending relational ruptures within correctional practice. Dr. Lewis has been a Senior Consultant for the Council of Europe for six years and focuses her efforts on training, coaching, and advising practitioners, leaders, and institutions, to support them in creating safe environments, internationally.

Emma Hands

Research Consultant, PRS

Emma Hands completed her undergraduate degree in Criminology, specialising in factors that lead to criminal behaviour, with a special focus in childhood animal abuse, leading to later human violence. Emma went on to complete her MSc in Applied Criminology, specialising in non-operational and operational staff relationships within prison and the effect their relationships with people in prison have, on their experiences of prison. Emma completed an independent evaluation on Growth work, after which she joined PRS as a research consultant, working with organisations to help create a rehabilitative culture that enables growth for all. Emma leads the internship programme at PRS and has carried out Growth work within prisons, approved premises and schools. She has a particular interest in youth prevention work and delivers research projects across correctional settings.

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #14 - What Else Works ... Volume 2 (ACJ14-A007)

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