Abstract

Objectives: The Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway represents a shift in criminal justice settings, aiming to balance risk management with therapeutic intervention. While clinical outcomes are often measured through recidivism, there is a relative dearth of research capturing experiential accounts of those receiving treatment. This study therefore explores 1) how participants currently on the pathway perceive the therapeutic process, and 2) what factors they identify as most critical to their progression.

Design: A qualitative approach to data collection was employed, using semi-structured interviews to access the lived experience of those currently receiving treatment on the pathway.

Methods: Six male participants currently engaged with the OPD pathway in a single custodial setting were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed by academics and a lived experience researcher.

Results: Preliminary analysis suggests that successful engagement is predicated on foundational relational qualities and an accessible environmental culture. Recurring themes concerning environment, staff-participant dynamics, and internal psychological shifts are identified.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight that therapeutic change in forensic settings is highly dependent on the ‘relational climate’. And by prioritising dignity and transparency, the pathway enables participants to bridge the gap between psychological understanding and behavioural change. Although the small number of participants and single setting limit transferability of results, these insights have some implications for staff training, service design, and the continuity of care across custodial settings.