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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Published on: February 16, 2011

Narrative beyond prison gates: contradiction, complexity, and reconciliation.

Elizabeth Yardley¹, David Wilson², Diane Kemp²

¹Birmingham City University, UK elizabeth.yardley@bcu.ac.uk.

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

|October 15, 2013

Summary

This study explores how former therapeutic community residents reconstruct their identities after leaving prison. It highlights challenges in integrating therapy-formed identities with past criminal associations in less supportive environments.

Keywords:

ex-offenders narrative narrative identity prisons therapeutic communities

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Criminology
Sociology

Background:

Therapeutic communities in Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Grendon provide a structured environment for identity development.
Qualitative research is essential for understanding complex personal narratives.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore narrative identity reconstruction in a former resident after leaving a therapeutic community.
To examine the adaptation and challenges of maintaining identities in a less supportive social environment.

Main Methods:

Qualitative research methodology.
In-depth case study of a former resident (Alan) from HMP Grendon's therapeutic communities.
Analysis of narrative identity construction and adaptation.

Main Results:

The study identified five key identities: the Achiever, the Liminal Man, the Lucky Man, the Puppet, and the Wise Man.
Narrative identities are adapted and reconstructed when moved from a therapeutic setting to a less supportive social environment.
Former residents face challenges in reconciling redemptive, therapy-nurtured identities with past criminal associations.

Conclusions:

The transition from a therapeutic community to society requires ongoing adaptation of narrative identities.
External social and personal circumstances can reactivate negative identity aspects.
Reconciliation of therapy-derived positive identities with residual negative ones is a significant post-release challenge.