Kia ora and Hello! I was delighted to be nominated as President-Elect of the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP) and started in the role in January 2025 together with Dr Emma Regan who commenced as our President at the same time. It is truly rewarding to be working alongside my colleagues on the Board. We bring a range of diverse backgrounds, professional experience, and skills that serve to strengthen our pursuit of the objectives set in our strategy. A little about me – I am originally from the small island of Malta in the Mediterranean where I completed my BA in Psychology (Honours). I was awarded a scholarship from the European Union for an MA … [Read more...] about Foreword from Jessica Borg
Summary: The Intersection of Juvenile Psychopathy, Protective Factors, Treatment Change, and Diversity in Justice-Involved Youth
The 50th anniversary issue of Criminal Justice and Behavior (Vol. 52, Issue 3, March 2025) has published a new study co-authored by Kristine M. Lovatt, Keira C. Stockdale, and Mark Olver that examines how protective factors, dynamic violence risk, and recidivism intersect with cases of juvenile psychopathy. Through a comparative analysis of different measuring tools and official records, the researchers looked at a diverse sample of Canadian justice-involved youth to see how psychopathic traits corresponded with criminal risk and recidivism. The study found that while juvenile psychopathy remained clinically relevant, the construct did not seem to be connected to a lack of protective factors … [Read more...] about Summary: The Intersection of Juvenile Psychopathy, Protective Factors, Treatment Change, and Diversity in Justice-Involved Youth
Summary: Where Should We Intervene, 20 Years Later? – Case–Control and Prospective Cohort Designs Provide Similar Answers
The 50th anniversary issue of Criminal Justice and Behavior Vol. 52, Issue 3, March 2025) has published a new study by Julie Blais, R. Karl Hanson, and Andrew J.R. Harris that revisits a 2000 case-control study of risk factors for sexual recidivism (Hanson & Harris), also originally published in CJB. By examining updated information on the original sample subjects collected in 2017, the researchers were able to further compare those who re-offended and those who did not by differentiating the risk factors observed in the original case-control study and those in the new prospective cohort model. While most of the comparisons favored the prospective cohort study design, the researchers … [Read more...] about Summary: Where Should We Intervene, 20 Years Later? – Case–Control and Prospective Cohort Designs Provide Similar Answers
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
Foreword from Dr Emma Regan, Newly Elected IACFP President
Summary: A Survey of OPD Pathway Services Recipients in United Kingdom Prisons
The January 2025 issue of Criminal Justice and Behavior has published a new study of the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway co-authored by Manuela Jarrett, Julie Trebilcock, Tim Weaver, Andrew Forrester, Colin D. Campbell, Mizanur Khondoker, George Vamvakas, Barbara Barrett, and Paul A. Moran. The OPD Pathway is a network of services across prison, health and community settings in England and Wales developed by His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) and National Health Service in the United Kingdom. It was designed to provide mental health support for incarcerated individuals with personality disorders. The study was a component of a national review of the OPD Pathway … [Read more...] about Summary: A Survey of OPD Pathway Services Recipients in United Kingdom Prisons
Summary: Reception to and Efficacy of a Serious Video Game for Correctional Intervention
A pilot study of the utility and effectiveness of video games designed for correctional intervention appears in the November 2024 issue of Criminal Justice and Behavior. The study is co-authored by Keegan J. Diehl, Robert D. Morgan, Christopher M. King, Paul B. Ingram, and Cooper Mitchell, and focuses specifically on Project Choices, a "serious" video game designed for justice-involved individuals that aims to reduce recidivism. Through a cross-over design study and follow-up surveys, the researchers sought to determine if Project Choices could provide as much engagement and immersion to the players as a game designed strictly for leisure purposes. The researchers also looked at the effects … [Read more...] about Summary: Reception to and Efficacy of a Serious Video Game for Correctional Intervention
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
Summary: Sport-based interventions and health in prisons: The impact of Twinning Project on prisoner wellbeing and attitudes
The Journal of Health Psychology has recently published a study by Linus Peitz and Marsha Newsome that examines ways to improve mental health in prisons and the positive effects of building social relationships between prisoners. These support networks have been shown to reduce the risks of mental health issues and re-offending. The research specifically focuses on the Twinning Project, an initiative that introduces a structured football (soccer) program into UK-based correctional facilities. The researchers found that the activities of the Twinning Project produced substantial benefits for the participants, including higher levels of wellbeing and satisfaction of psychological … [Read more...] about Summary: Sport-based interventions and health in prisons: The impact of Twinning Project on prisoner wellbeing and attitudes
Student Research Award Winners Preview Their Current Projects
This month we're proud to share a preview of the criminological studies currently being pursued by 2024’s IACFP Student Research Award winners, Cooper Sparks and Charlie Aelick. The Assessment Utility of Project Choices: An E-Health Technology Tool Abstract Cooper Sparks Between 2020 and 2021, approximately 5,444,900 individuals were supervised within United States correctional institutions (Carson & Kluckow, 2023). Within this population are varying mental health concerns and levels of threat to public safety (Alsan et al., 2023). In the leading Risk-Needs-Responsivity model of correctional rehabilitation, treatment focuses on criminogenic needs (i.e., criminal friends, … [Read more...] about Student Research Award Winners Preview Their Current Projects
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
