The therapeutic use of photographs in the United Kingdom criminal justice system

Abstract

This article reports on three approaches (Talking Pictures Therapy, Talking Pictures Books/Photobook Dads and Photo-assisted Employability/ Rehabilitation) developed by the author, after a literature review, that were used to train the seven partners from six countries taking part in the EACEA funded 'PhototherapyEurope in Prisons' project. This project aims to address the emotional learning of prisoners through the use of photographs. The approaches are described and case studies from the UK part of the pilot are provided. Preliminary findings suggest that the therapeutic use of photographs in prisons is potentially a cost-effective method, allowing fast access to clients concerns. Phototherapy seems particularly suitable to be used in this context as it provides a unique means of expression for those who are rarely given a voice, potentially reducing cultural and language barriers.

Navigating the complexity of the therapeutic and clinical use of photography in psychosocial settings: a review of the literature

“…Finally, the two remaining contributions elucidated the use of photography within the criminal justice system. The article authored by Loewenthal ( 2015 ) described three different approaches (Talking Pictures Therapy, Talking Pictures Books, and Photo-assisted Rehabilitation) developed to enhance emotional intelligence in the incarcerated population. Preliminary findings suggest that the use of photographic techniques with prison population is a potentially beneficial approach because photos represented a non-verbal communication, which can help prisoners in emotional expression and sharing, in a context characterized by limited opportunities, where trust is fragile.…”

“…The name of this technique ( projectives) derives from the belief that the meaning assigned to the picture results from a projective process initiated by the client. Among these articles (Loewenthal, 2015 ; Loewenthal et al , 2016 ; Saita et al , 2014 ) we can list a case study of a younger female patient aimed at evaluating the changes in the terms used in the interaction with the provider after the introduction of the photographic stimulus (Saita et al , 2014 ). The authors concluded that the use of photographs can modify the way the individual processes emotional information, a conclusion supported by the fact that the verbal production of the patient changed from an exclusive focus on the somatic level ( I have an headache ) to the recognition of the underlying emotion ( I’m sad ), while the communication style of the subject remained concrete before and after the consultation (Saita et al , 2014 ).…”

A gender-sensitive intervention in jail: A study of Italian men convicted of assaulting women or femicide

“…Studies suggest that emotional intelligence can be a determining factor of criminal behaviour (Santesso, Reker, Schmidt, & Segalowitz, 2006). As emotional learning may be a predictor of successful offender rehabilitation (Gaum, Hoffman, & Venter, 2006), it can been addressed by means of photo-based therapy (Clark & Loewenthal, 2000;Loewenthal, 2015), which can help in prisoner rehabilitation (Gaum et al, 2006) and the reduction of their violent and self-harm behaviour (Safer Custody Group, 2002). Photo-based therapy in fact provides prisoners with unique expressive means to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers and subjective expressive limits (Clark & Loewenthal, 2015).…”

Constructing positive narrative identities in a forensic setting: a single case evaluation of phototherapy

“…Halkola's Spektro Cards) to be too ambiguous and abstract to be used by inmates. This technique has already been successfully used within prison settings (Loewenthal, 2015;Loewenthal et al, 2017;PIP, 2013). In the "Talking Pictures" approach, the client is presented with a set of images representing landscapes or everyday objects and asked to choose the one(s) that "call(s)" to him/her and subsequently led, in a non-directive and non-interpretative manner, to motivate his/ her choice and the feelings arising during the session.…”

“…In the "Talking Pictures" approach, the client is presented with a set of images representing landscapes or everyday objects and asked to choose the one(s) that "call(s)" to him/her and subsequently led, in a non-directive and non-interpretative manner, to motivate his/ her choice and the feelings arising during the session. The use of photographs appeared to have helped clients, especially those with poor communication or emotional skills, express their emotions and create linkages between the verbal and non-verbal systems while enabling reflexivity (Loewenthal, 2013a(Loewenthal, , 2015Loewenthal et al, 2017).…”