While IACFP is very excited about its next steps on the IACFP Strategic Pillars 2025-2031, it is also sad to say “good-bye” to one of its drafters, i.e. Matt Epperson. Matt joined the board six years ago when IACFP was trying to increase its diversity not only internationally but also in terms of professional areas of specialization. They wanted another “voice” at the leadership table. IACFP specifically sought to find someone known for their research and practice in social work AND that aligned with the IACFP mission. They couldn’t have found anyone better than Matt Epperson, MSW, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and … [Read more...] about Foreword
Foreword from Cherie Townsend, IACFP Executive Director
Since the last IACFP Bulletin, we have lost two great leaders who were dedicated to improving correctional practices and rehabilitation outcomes globally: Peter Severin and Dr. Helen Farley. As we begin this new issue, which is focused on staff well-being, it is appropriate to first acknowledge our connections with Peter and Helen and their contributions to our profession. In August, we received the news from the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) that its President, Peter Severin, had passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025. This followed a sudden and devastating illness. Peter, who had retired as Commissioner for Correctional Services in New South Wales in 2021 … [Read more...] about Foreword from Cherie Townsend, IACFP Executive Director
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for May/Jun 2025
IACFP IACFP supports correctional and forensic psychologists, as well as other helping professionals working with justice-impacted individuals. We aim to advance evidence- and practitioner-informed policies and practices, and to elevate psychology’s role in correctional settings. For 2025–2031 we have adopted three pillars as the Association’s strategic focus: Helping the Helpers: IACFP is dedicated to advancing the voice of psychology in corrections through supporting psychologists and other helping professionals. The focus of this support is opportunities for connection with colleagues globally and learning through Continuous Professional Development. Research to … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for May/Jun 2025
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Mar/Apr 2025
IACFP IACFP Sponsors Correctional Research Symposium 2025 IACFP is committed to advancing the voice of psychology in corrections. The Correctional Research Symposium 2025 offers us the opportunity to spotlight our strategic pillar of “Research to Practice & Practice to Research,” which is why we are pleased to support sponsors International Corrections and Prison Association (ICPA) and the European Organisation for Prison and Correctional Services (EuroPris) and host the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) in delivering this important event. For more information on CRS 2025, go to ICPA's website or EuroPris’ website. “What happens to imprisonment rates when a … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Mar/Apr 2025
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Jan/Feb 2025
We've compiled top highlights from recent research, policy, and practice resources across the world for our latest IACFP International News summary. Our topics for January and February, 2025 include IACFP updates; member access to SAGE Journals; recent research, policy, and practice; and upcoming conferences. International News 3rd Annual Mental Health-Substance Use Health Report Card The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health issued the 3rd Annual Mental Health-Substance Use Health Report Card in January 2025. Findings that are particularly relevant for correctional psychology are the following: “There is no health without mental health and substance use health. … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Jan/Feb 2025
Moving Forward: New Members of the Executive Committee of the Board and the Board
As IACFP begins a new year, it moves forward with a new executive committee of the board and three new board members. Our president, Emma Regan, noted in her Foreword for this edition of the IACFP Bulletin that during the first meeting of the board in 2025, "we focused on the development of our new IACFP strategy. Key to this strategy will be: A strong focus on Continual Professional Development (CPD) for our members. Enhancing our international Mental Health Leadership Network. Fulfilling the potential of our IACFP Bulletin with an emphasis on engaging practitioner and student writers. A focus on IACFP modernisation, governance and organisational resilience. … [Read more...] about Moving Forward: New Members of the Executive Committee of the Board and the Board
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Nov/Dec 2024
We've compiled top highlights from recent research, policy, and practice resources across the world for our latest IACFP International News summary. Our topics for November and December 2024 include IACFP updates; recent research, policy, and practice; and upcoming conferences. 1. IACFP Updates IACFP Board Planning for Future The IACFP Board held their annual in-person meeting 28-30 October 2024 in Salem, Oregon, US. In addition to a business meeting and a facilitated strategic planning discussion to establish future goals, the Board spent a day at the Oregon State Penitentiary learning about the Oregon Way, including their behavioral health programs and staff wellness … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Nov/Dec 2024
Improving Staff Wellness: An Interview with Rosemary Ricciardelli
Rosemary Ricciardelli, Ph.D., is the Research Chair in Safety Security & Wellness for the Fisheries & Marine Institute at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has written extensively about staff wellness in public safety organizations; specifically in corrections. This interview was conducted by IACFP Executive Director Cherie Townsend, and has been edited and condensed. Cherie Townsend: Currently, correctional systems are experiencing significant challenges with recruitment and retention of staff. In the past staff would work in corrections as a lifetime career. From your perspective, what has changed? Rosemary Ricciardelli:The prison population is changing. There's a change in who's … [Read more...] about Improving Staff Wellness: An Interview with Rosemary Ricciardelli
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Sept/Oct 2024
We've compiled top highlights from recent research, policy, and practice resources across the world for our latest IACFP International News summary. Our topics for September and October, 2024 include IACFP updates; member access to SAGE Journals; recent research, policy, and practice; and upcoming conferences. 1. IACFP Updates IACFP Board at ICPA Conference IACFP board members Diane Williams, Frank Porporino, and Gabriel Ong, as well as IACFP president Melvin Hinton and executive director Cherie Townsend, attended the ICPA annual conference in Singapore this past September. In this photo, the board members are with Dr. Mark Halsey, who delivered the 2024 IACFP Distinguished … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Sept/Oct 2024
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Jul/Aug 2024
We've compiled top highlights from recent research, policy, and practice resources across the world for our latest IACFP International News summary. Our topics for July and August, 2024 include IACFP updates; recent research, policy, and practice; and upcoming conferences. 1. IACFP Updates IACFP 2024 Distinguished Scholar is Professor Mark Halsey Professor Mark Halsey from Flinders University in Australia will deliver the IACFP 2024 Distinguished Scholar Lecture at the upcoming ICPA annual conference in Singapore. The theme of the conference is “Enabling Desistance: Beyond Recidivism”. Professor Halsey has done significant research on desistance, including the … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Jul/Aug 2024
Interview: Dr. Orla Gallagher on Studying Violence in the Irish Prison System
Dr Orla Gallagher is a Post-Doctoral Researcher employed in the Irish Prison Service. Her primary project explores the implementation of an Expert by Experience role in the Irish Prison Service (IPS). She is also completing a small-scale project in conjunction with Senator Lynn Ruane exploring how neurodiversity is responded to in the IPS and sits on the national Homelessness in the Criminal Justice System Research Steering Group. She completed her PhD (in conjunction with the IPS and University College Dublin) in 2023, with her research focused on the management of serious violence and disruption in Irish Prisons. Prior to this she completed her MSc in Clinical Forensic Psychology at King’s … [Read more...] about Interview: Dr. Orla Gallagher on Studying Violence in the Irish Prison System
New UNICRI Report Provides Insight and Recommendations on Digital Rehabilitation
The United National Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) published the report Digital Rehabilitation in Prisons in March 2024 (available here). The document was written by Victoria Knight and Stuart Ross, consultants at UNICRI, under the overall guidance and editing of Mana Yamamoto, Matthew Burnett-Stuart, and Alice Roberti. An expert group that included representatives from academia as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations also provided input for the report. I recognized several of the authors and advisors as practitioner leaders in contemporary correctional psychology, rehabilitation, probation, and prisons. The report examines the potential … [Read more...] about New UNICRI Report Provides Insight and Recommendations on Digital Rehabilitation
