The Good Lives Model

What is the Good Lives Model?

Research suggests that happy people (people with high levels of well-being) exhibit on average more adaptive behaviors, are more productive, and are more sociable. Furthermore, researchers argue that unsatisfied needs are both risk factors and mental health concerns. The Good Lives model (GLM) is an alternative approach to offender rehabilitation, which results in lower risk of recidivism. The GLM takes a more holistic and constructive approach to rehabilitation, through enabling offenders to live better lives (i.e. good lives) as opposed to simply teaching offenders to avoid re-offending and, consequently, incarceration. The foundation of the GLM lies in its emphasis on the achievement of a life characterized by emotional well-being, which is dependent on securing primary human goods: actions, states of affairs, characteristics, experiences, and states of mind that are intrinsically beneficial to human beings and are sought for their own sake, rather than as a means to a more fundamental end. Therefore, one of the major goals of GLM is helping offenders to build capabilities and strengths in order to reduce their risk of re-offending.

To learn more, view this video from the developer of the Good Lives Model, Tony Ward.

Safer Society Press brings you GLM resources from the leading experts

Evidence is growing that the Good Lives approach to treating and managing sex offenders and youth with illegal sexual behaviors is more effective than previous treatment models. That’s why Safer Society Press is committed to publishing resources for professionals from the leading experts on the Good Lives Model. You can learn more about these leading-edge publications:

Applying the Good Lives and Self-Regulation Models to Sex Offender Treatment: A Practical Guide for Clinicians

• by Pamela M. Yates, David Prescott & Tony Ward
• Learn more here

Building a Better Life: A Good Lives and Self-Regulation Workbook

• by Pamela M. Yates & David Prescott
• Learn more here

The Good Lives Model for Adolescents Who Sexually Harm

• edited by Bobbie Print
• Learn more here

Applying the Good Lives Model to the Case Management of Sexual Offenders: A Practical Guide for Probation Officers, Parole Officers, and Case Workers

• by Mayumi Purvis, Tony Ward & Simone Shaw
• Learn more here

DVD: Making a Better Life Happen: Integrating the Good Lives Model into Sexual Offender Treatment

• featuring Gwenda M. Willis, Pamela M. Yates & David S. Prescott
• Learn more here