Episode description

In her final lecture, the forensic psychiatrist Dr Gwen Adshead, assesses how we deal with violent offenders and asks is it time for a re-think?

The UK has more than 70 people on whole life tariffs, at incredible expense – all to appease a sense of revenge, she says.

Dr Adshead assesses the effectiveness and impact of therapeutic interventions with offenders in prisons. And she asks if the public needs to change their minds about violent perpetrators.

The programme is recorded in Bergen, Norway – a country which has a long tradition of rehabilitating violent offenders.

The Reith Lectures are presented and chaired by Anita Anand.

Producer: Jim Frank Editor: Clare Fordham Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Additional Research by James Bonney and Debbie Richford