‘What works' with substance users in prison?

A theoretical model for a prison‐based rehabilitation programme is described. It was developed from a theory manual, written for a prison‐centred programme in Oxfordshire run by the Ley Community, a concept‐based therapeutic community. It draws on two theoretical models that are historically separate and distinct, reviews their key theoretical components and explores integrative links. Concept‐based therapeutic communities, their origins, aims, values and methods are discussed. Cognitive behavioural group work approaches are explored and the features crucial to their effectiveness are identified. Two types of prison‐based drug treatment programmes, based on therapeutic community and cognitive behavioural approaches are described and discussed. This includes consideration of research findings into their effectiveness and identifies features that are considered crucial to a programme's success. It is suggested that the adoption of a transtheoretical model would enable an integration of concepts and components that underpin both cognitive behavioural and structured therapeutic community approaches, and may provide a pragmatic solution to any inherent theoretical tensions.