Dynamic Security: The Democratic Therapeutic Community in Prison (Community, Culture and Change)

This book is well thought out and thorough examination of the challenges and opportunities of dynamic security. I would recommend this book to those who work with prisoners in the hope that some of the obvious good practice can be shared more widely and not simply retained in therapeutic-style units. There are also important policy implications, particularly in relation to climb-down, reintegration and release of prisoners.'

- Prison Service Journal, March 2007

Dynamic Security describes the theory, practice and management of democratic therapeutic communities (TCs) in prisons using clinical examples and case studies. The contributors explore the complexities of working in TCs and the powerful emotional impact generated in the process of therapy in the forensic setting. In particular, they focus on the previous life history of offenders in therapy and on the effect of former relationship experiences on offenders' behaviour.

This book is an indispensable reference for anyone working in the forensic field in prisons, secure hospitals or dangerous and severe personality disorder (DSPD) units, including psychiatrists, psychologists, prison and probation officers, social workers, prison governors and staff, as well as students in these fields.

Dennie Briggs trained as a clinical psychologist and sociologist and has conduced a number of transitional therapeutic communities in the US Navy, the California prison system, schools and universities. He resided in the UK for six years, working at Dingleton and Henderson Hospitals, consulting for NACRO and teaching at the North London Polytechnic.