We’ve pulled together a selection of international updates, research highlights and upcoming professional development opportunities that may be of interest to IACFP Bulletin readers working across prisons, probation and community corrections. If there’s something happening in your region that we should know about – news, research calls, webinars or conferences, etc. –please get in touch at community@myiacfp.org. International Updates NEW PODCAST: The Forensic Update Podcast Hosted by The British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology, this bimonthly podcast will focus on developing the field of forensic psychology by providing insights on a wide variety of … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Mar/Apr 2026
Criminal Justice & Behavior Practitioner Summaries for Mar/Apr 2026
Authors publishing articles in Criminal Justice and Behavior (CJB) now include practitioner summaries to bridge the gap between research and practice in forensic and correctional psychology fields across international jurisdictions. Below, we highlight some of the most practitioner-relevant summaries which have been approved for publication in CJB, and may have already appeared in OnLine First or in a printed journal or may be scheduled for publication. In this issue of the IACFP Bulletin, included articles address a wide variety of topics, including father-child contact and recidivism, personality disorder programming, trust in women's prisons, post-incarceration employment and dignity, … [Read more...] about Criminal Justice & Behavior Practitioner Summaries for Mar/Apr 2026
2026 IRCC Sponsored Early Career Professional: Laura Lyons
In March this year, I was fortunate to be sponsored by the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP) to attend the International Research in Corrections Conference (IRCC) in Auckland, New Zealand. Working within the Department of Corrections New Zealand is often fast-paced, and I valued the opportunity to step back, reflect, and engage with new learning—particularly at my first international conference. Although I did not travel far geographically, the conference itself felt noticeably global. Delegates and presenters attended from a wide range of jurisdictions, including Singapore, Norway, the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Across these … [Read more...] about 2026 IRCC Sponsored Early Career Professional: Laura Lyons
2025 Student Award Winner: Kate Foy
In June 2025, I was honoured to receive the IACFP Student Research Award for my Master’s thesis, “Exploring the Impact of the Community Based Health and First Aid Programme Among People in Custody.” This research was conducted in collaboration with the Irish Prison Service (IPS), the Irish Red Cross (IRC), and University College Cork (UCC). The Community Based Health and First Aid Programme (CBHFA) is a collaborative initiative providing prison-specific Red Cross volunteer training to people in custody. This study examined changes in self-esteem, wellbeing, and locus of control among participants, while also exploring shifts in perceived community contribution over time. Findings … [Read more...] about 2025 Student Award Winner: Kate Foy
Oxford Textbook of Correctional Psychiatry, Second Edition: A Review
Foreword The International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP) takes immense pride in the professional contributions of our leadership, whose expertise continues to shape the global landscape of correctional mental health. In this issue, we are pleased to spotlight the recent work of long-time board member, Dr. Jeffrey Metzner – forensic psychiatrist, international consultant, and associate director of the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program at the University of Colorado – Anschutz, based out of Denver, Colorado, United States. The release of the Oxford Textbook of Correctional Psychiatry, Second Edition, which was co-edited by Dr. Metzner, represents a … [Read more...] about Oxford Textbook of Correctional Psychiatry, Second Edition: A Review
Report Summary – Reducing Reoffending: A Synthesis of Evidence on Effectiveness of Interventions
The UK Ministry of Justice’s latest evidence synthesis (Cordle & Gale, 2025) on reducing reoffending brings together a large, useful body of research which points to where the strongest evidence resides. We encourage you to read the 2025 report in full, but for those working day-to-day in prisons, forensic services, or community settings who want a sense of what the report outlines, this summary focuses on what the evidence says in practical terms. The Relationship between Instability and Reoffending One of the clearest messages running through the report is that reoffending is strongly linked to a set of very concrete, everyday problems including: Housing instability … [Read more...] about Report Summary – Reducing Reoffending: A Synthesis of Evidence on Effectiveness of Interventions
Identification and Treatment of Language Disorders of Young People in Prison in Finland
Background The marginalization of young people has been identified as one of the major challenges facing society, and a delinquency record has been identified as one of the main indicators of exclusion. More than 60% of young people in prisons in numerous Western countries demonstrate significant speech, language and communication difficulties to such an extent that they can be considered as developmental language disorder (DLD; for a review, see Anderson et al., 2016; Chow et al., 2022), the general prevalence of which is about 7% (Tomblin et al., 1997). DLD is a permanent neurodevelopmental disorder caused by complex interactions between genes and the environment, and it cannot be … [Read more...] about Identification and Treatment of Language Disorders of Young People in Prison in Finland
Bringing Frontline Corrections Staff into the Fold: Teaming Up to Address Criminogenic Thinking
In the world of correctional psychology, most of us are quite familiar with the construct of “criminal (or criminogenic) thinking,” pioneered by Yochelson and Samenow in the mid-1970s. It’s the idea that people who live a criminal lifestyle view themselves and the world through a certain lens—one that permits them to justify acting in ways that are irresponsible or violate the rights and well-being of others. Originally, Yochelson and Samenow (1976) identified 52 different styles of criminal thinking! Importantly, they understood that individuals who become entrenched in the criminal legal system aren’t the only ones who think in these ways; yet, they rely on these thinking errors more … [Read more...] about Bringing Frontline Corrections Staff into the Fold: Teaming Up to Address Criminogenic Thinking
Foreword for Mar/Apr 2026 Bulletin
This edition of the IACFP Bulletin focuses broadly on one of the main challenges facing modern correctional systems: translating knowledge and evidence-based rehabilitation principles into the realities of frontline practice. Across jurisdictions, there is increasing recognition that effective correctional work cannot sit solely within specialist programmes or services. Instead, rehabilitation depends on knowledge being translated into the daily interactions between all staff, including peer to peer supporters, and those in custody. One of the strengths of the IACFP community is its international reach, and this issue reflects that clearly. Contributions from Finland, New Zealand, … [Read more...] about Foreword for Mar/Apr 2026 Bulletin
Webinar: Fireside Chat with Dr. Frank Porporino
The International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP) is pleased to have been able to host an informal fireside conversation with Dr. Frank Porporino, moderated by Dr. Abigail Tucker. This engaging discussion explored the challenges and opportunities shaping contemporary correctional psychology. Drawing on a distinguished career that spans frontline clinical work in Canada’s oldest maximum-security institution through to influencing correctional policy and practice internationally, Dr. Porporino offered reflections grounded in decades of experience and commitment to evidence-based practice. This event provided a valuable opportunity to hear candid insights from a … [Read more...] about Webinar: Fireside Chat with Dr. Frank Porporino
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Jan/Feb 2026
We’ve pulled together a selection of international updates, research highlights and upcoming professional development opportunities that may be of interest to IACFP Bulletin readers working across prisons, probation and community corrections. If there’s something happening in your region that we should know about – news, research calls, webinars or conferences –please get in touch at community@myiacfp.org. International Updates Netherlands: Prison Health Reform The Netherlands continues to approach prison health as a public health issue, with mental health recognised as the most common need among people in custody. Even with one of the lowest incarceration rates in the WHO … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Jan/Feb 2026
Criminal Justice & Behavior Practitioner Summaries for Jan/Feb 2026
Authors publishing articles in Criminal Justice and Behavior (CJB) now include practitioner summaries to bridge the gap between research and practice in forensic and correctional psychology fields across international jurisdictions. Below, we include some of the most practitioner-relevant summaries which have been approved for publication in CJB, which may have already appeared in OnLine First or in a printed journal or may be scheduled for publication. In this issue of the IACFP Bulletin, included articles address a wide variety of topics, including legal system reform, virtual courtrooms, correctional staff attitudes and influences, cybercrime, faith-based rehabilitation, justice-involved … [Read more...] about Criminal Justice & Behavior Practitioner Summaries for Jan/Feb 2026
