BCU's HMP Grendon Partnership

HMP Grendon is unlike any other prison in the UK. Established in 1962, it was designed with rehabilitation at its core, focusing on treating men with complex needs through a structured therapeutic community. The prison operates on the principles of respect, openness, challenge, trust, and responsibility, helping residents understand the consequences of their actions and encouraging personal growth.

BCU is proud to work with HMP Grendon. Our Criminology students take part in a debate every year with Grendon residents as well having other opportunities to learn about the work of the facility, and think about the purpose of prisons and the concept of rehabilitation.

With space for up to 235 residents, Grendon uses an intensive group therapy approach, incorporating psychodynamic practice alongside cognitive-behavioural and social learning perspectives. Residents participate in therapy sessions where they reflect on their upbringing and crimes, engage in psychodrama techniques to develop empathy, and work towards self-realisation. The environment is challenging yet humane, offering an opportunity for meaningful rehabilitation. Studies have shown that spending 18 months or more at Grendon significantly reduces reoffending rates upon release.

Why Does BCU Work with HMP Grendon?

Birmingham City University has established links with HMP Grendon to provide students with invaluable real-world insights into forensic and rehabilitative settings. The partnership is not about 'dark tourism' but about equipping students with the professional skills needed to navigate and work within forensic environments.

Grendon’s unique therapeutic approach offers an alternative perspective on criminal rehabilitation, giving students an opportunity to witness a model that prioritises long-term behavioural change rather than just punishment.

How Does This Benefit Teaching and Student Learning?

Visiting Grendon helps students apply the theoretical concepts they study in the classroom to real-world scenarios. Experiencing the structured routines, group therapy sessions, and rehabilitative environment firsthand deepens their understanding of criminal behaviour, rehabilitation, and the complexities of working in forensic psychology or criminal justice.

Students also develop key professional skills such as self-awareness, critical thinking, and the ability to manage relationships in challenging environments. The experience encourages them to reflect on their own perceptions of crime and justice while gaining insights that are directly relevant to careers in psychology, criminology, and related fields.

Opportunities for BCU Students

For students considering a career in forensic psychology, criminology, or the criminal justice system, this experience provides a unique and valuable perspective. Engaging with Grendon’s therapeutic model allows them to see rehabilitation in action, understand the role of psychology in reducing reoffending, and gain an insight into the challenges and responsibilities of working in such settings.

Moreover, this hands-on experience strengthens students’ employability. Having first-hand exposure to a forensic setting not only sets them apart in job interviews but also demonstrates their ability to engage professionally with diverse and complex environments.

If you're studying Criminology at BCU, it gives you the opportunity to step beyond the classroom and experience real-world environments. Whether you're passionate about rehabilitation or the wider criminal justice system, engaging with Grendon will challenge your perspectives, enhance your professional skills, and help you shape your future career.