Prison Based Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy within a prison environment is a comparatively new area of practice. This paper draws on the experience of occupational therapists who have worked in “G” Division, Pentridge Prison, the only psychiatric facility of the Victorian penal system. It outlines the philosophical model used for their intervention and gives an example of its practical application. The authors hope that, through this paper, they will demystify some of the myths related to working in prisons, so as to encourage further participation of occupational therapists in this specialist field.