Therapeutic communities
Evidence-rated crime-reduction intervention (EMMIE).
Effect on crime
mixed evidence
Evidence quality
strong
What the evidence says
Therapeutic communities use a participative, group-based approach to address mental illness and substance abuse. Evidence indicates that these communities can lead to an overall reduction in crime, though some studies report increases in reoffending. The intervention is particularly effective in custodial settings, and longer program durations are associated with better outcomes.
How it works
Therapeutic communities promote behavioral change through peer influence and community engagement. Participants learn social norms and develop skills while being supported by staff and former participants, fostering accountability and personal responsibility.
Implementation
Successful implementation typically requires a structured program of nine to 18 months, though dropout rates are often high. These communities operate in various settings and involve both professional staff and recovered individuals in the treatment process.
Source: College of Policing Crime Reduction Toolkit (What Works Centre for Crime Reduction). Summarised 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the College of Policing.