Trädgårdsterapi inom kriminalvården : en möjlighet för Sverige?

The main objective of this study was to investigate the possible design of a horticultural therapy program in Swedish correctional treatment facilities. In the USA the use of horticultural therapy in offender rehabilitation is much more frequent compared with Sweden. The aim of these programs typically contains education for inmates. Research has been made indicating that these programs can have positive effects on psychosocial behavior and on vulnerability to substance abuse among incarcerated offenders. In this study the examples of these programs was categorized and analyzed from three perspectives; Vocational, social and therapeutic horticultural programs. This information, combined with knowledge on the Swedish correctional treatment system, their clients, and information on therapeutic horticulture used in the rehabilitation garden at Alnarp in Sweden, was the information used when discussing a possible design of a horticultural therapy program in Swedish prisons and jails. The gathered information resulted in a hypothetical theory concluding that instead of having separate activities for work, education and substance abuse treatment, horticultural therapy can combine these three components and meet many of the needs that inmates have.