The therapeutic potential of a prison-based animal programme in the UK

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Author
Mercer, Jenny
Gibson, Kerry
Clayton, Debbie
Date
2015Type
Article
Publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Ltd
ISSN
2050-8794
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Purpose
– Much evidence suggests that animals can serve as therapeutic tools for those working with vulnerable individuals. This exploratory study analysed the accounts of staff and offenders involved in a UK prison-based animal programme. The purpose of this paper was to explore the perceived impact of such a programme with male offenders.
Design/methodology/approach
– Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three service users and five staff members. Participants were drawn from a special unit in a category B prison which housed an animal centre.
Findings
– A thematic analysis identified four salient themes: a sense of responsibility, building trust, enhanced communication, and impact on mood and behaviour. Findings revealed that offenders seemed to gain particular benefit from interacting with the two Labrador dogs which were present on the wing.
Practical implications
– The study highlights the therapeutic potential of the presence of animals in prisons. Their implications of this for forensic practice are discussed.
Originality/value
– This paper offers an important contribution to the sparse literature about prison-based animal programmes in the UK.
Journal/conference proceeding
The Journal of Forensic Practice
Citation
Mercer, J., Gibson, K. and Clayton, D., (2015) 'The therapeutic potential of a prison-based animal programme in the UK', Journal of Forensic Practice, 17(1), pp.43-54.
Description
This article was published in The Journal of Forensic Practice in 2015 (online), available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JFP-09-2014-0031
Rights
Non-commercialCollections
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