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 victimization of incarcerated persons, considerations for community supervision, unique perspectives for justice-involved youth, and … [Read more...] about Criminal Justice & Behavior Practitioner Summaries for Sept/Oct 2026

Group Radical Openness (GRO) is a structured group therapy intervention that we initially developed for a psychiatric population (Booth & Egan, 2023). Research has shown that it is a valuable and significant intervention (Egan et al., 2021; Egan et al., 2025; Johnstone et al., 2024; Twomey et al., 2026; Twomey & Nelson-Sisinni, 2026). Over the last two years, we have pioneered an adaptation of this therapy in the Irish Prison Service (IPS). It is aimed at incarcerated people who fit a profile of what is termed “overcontrol”. This paper outlines the development of GRO, key features of overcontrol, how GRO has been implemented in prisons, and how its application has resulted in a new … [Read more...] about Forensic Group Radical Openness

One of the ideas that has stayed with me throughout my career is a very simple one: no one is just one thing. “As vulnerable and dependent creatures, human beings depend on acknowledgement (recognition) and justice as a condition of human flourishing.” — Alison Liebling In criminal justice, it can sometimes be difficult to hold on to a simple truth: we are people working with people. We may work with individuals who have caused significant harm, whose behaviour is complex or deeply entrenched, and we have clear responsibilities around risk, accountability and public protection. None of that changes, but neither does their humanity. Alison Liebling’s work on prisons has repeatedly … [Read more...] about No One Is Just One Thing: Bringing Lived Experience into Criminal Justice Practice

One of the things I enjoy most about speaking with colleagues internationally is the moment when someone describes a difficulty in their service and I think: “Oh yes, we know that one too!” The scale, resources, legislation and culture may be different, but there is often something very familiar in the challenge itself. Then comes the more useful question: how have they approached it, and what might we learn? Those are conversations I always appreciate. This IACFP Bulletin brings together contributions from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Reading them prompted me to think about the gap between what we think we see and the reality on the ground. A person may … [Read more...] about Learning Across Borders: Shared Principles, Local Practice

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 with us at community@myiacfp.org.   International Updates Incarcerated Law Students Graduate from Accredited U.S. Law School In a major milestone for United States correctional education and justice reform, Maureen Onyelobi and Jeffery Young have become the first incarcerated individuals … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Jul/Aug 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 familial influences on youth and adult justice involvement, correctional staff identities and wellness, and court involved therapy for sexually … [Read more...] about Criminal Justice & Behavior Practitioner Summaries for Jul/Aug 2026

Criminal Justice and Behavior (CJB) invites submissions for a special issue focused on the effectiveness of correctional interventions and rehabilitation across diverse populations and contexts. The issue is co-edited by Kristy Holtfreter and Mark Olver. This special issue seeks to advance understanding of what works, for whom, and under what conditions in correctional intervention. Contributions may examine a range of approaches, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral and other evidence-informed interventions, desistance-oriented, strengths-based, and recovery-informed models, as well as other emerging and established therapeutic frameworks. We particularly welcome submissions … [Read more...] about Call for Papers: Special Issue of Criminal Justice and Behavior
Effectiveness of Correctional Interventions and Rehabilitation Across Contexts

systems typically respond to suicidal and acute psychiatric crises using suicide watch practices that rely on isolation, restricted property, limited stimulation, and brief risk-focused clinical contacts. Although intended to prevent immediate danger, these practices may undermine key mechanisms associated with effective crisis intervention. This article critiques the continued use of isolation-based suicide watch in correctional environments and argues that such practices may discourage honest disclosure, intensify distress, and increase longer-term risk for incarcerated individuals, the staff, and institutions. Drawing on principles from community psychiatric care, safety planning, crisis … [Read more...] about Re-Thinking Suicide Watch: Engaging Solutions for Crisis Care