IACFP is proud to sponsor Distinguished Scholar, Dr Chi Meng Chu at the International Corrections and Prisons Association’s (ICPA) first International Research in Corrections Conference (IRCC), taking place in Auckland, New Zealand from March 2–5, 2026. His presentation at IRCC will focus on rehabilitation strategies across Asia, with an emphasis on sharing non-Western approaches to addressing criminal justice involvement. Dr Chu sat down with me to discuss his experiences in correctional and forensic psychology, how he arrived where he is today, and the guidance he has for future leaders in the field. Career Path and Professional Growth Dr Chu is currently the Group Director of the … [Read more...] about Distinguished Scholar Spotlight: Dr Chi Meng Chu
Foreword: Beyond Recidivism – The Practice and Purpose of Psychological Work in Corrections
Dear colleagues around the world, This edition of the IACFP Bulletin marks a small but deliberate shift in focus. Alongside international news, conference and research information, we are creating a space for practitioners to write directly about psychological work happening in prisons and community corrections. Anyone who works in prisons or community justice settings knows how hard it is to capture psychological work in neat, “gold standard” research designs. That’s not a criticism of research. It’s just the reality of the places we work in. Prisons are busy, under-resourced, and unpredictable. Psychological work isn’t tidy. It’s relational, often slow, and usually happens in small … [Read more...] about Foreword: Beyond Recidivism – The Practice and Purpose of Psychological Work in Corrections
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Nov/Dec 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 November and December, 2025 include IACFP, recent publications, and upcoming conferences. International News Practitioner Summaries in Criminal Justice and Behavior This year, Criminal Justice and Behavior began requesting that authors include practitioner summaries with their article submissions to help bridge the gap between research and practice. As one of the pillars of IACFP’s mission, we plan to include these summaries at the end of each future IACFP bulletin, with references and links to each article. We look … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Nov/Dec 2025
Criminal Justice & Behavior Practitioner Summaries for Nov/Dec 2025
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 the practitioner summaries of articles that have been approved for publication in CJB, which may have already appeared in OnLine First or in a printed journal or be scheduled for publication. In this issue of the IACFP Bulletin, included articles address topics related to justice-involved youth, race and ethnicity, intimate-partner violence, and perceptions of police. Ahmed, W., Liu, C., Suleman, R. M. F., Mahmood, R., & Mahmood, S. … [Read more...] about Criminal Justice & Behavior Practitioner Summaries for Nov/Dec 2025
The International Holiday Season: Wellbeing and Celebrations
The months around December are considered the “Holiday Season” in many countries across the world. Although often perceived as a happy or celebratory time, the holidays can be particularly difficult for many people, especially those who are incarcerated. The holidays can spark feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or regret when people are separated from their family. On the other hand, reminders of family and past experiences can incite stress for those who have experienced adverse or traumatic life events. Family visits may be limited during this time (either due to reduced staffing or unavailability of family members). People in recovery from substance or alcohol abuse are at increased risk of … [Read more...] about The International Holiday Season: Wellbeing and Celebrations
Summary: Staff As a Conduit for Contraband – Developing and Testing Key Assumptions of Professional Boundary Violations in Prison
Earlier this year, Deviant Behavior (Volume 46, Issue 4, 2025) published an article by Bryce E. Peterson and KiDeuk Kim in which these authors evaluate potential motivations behind staff boundary violations in United States correctional facilities, including inappropriate relationships, financial gain, and staff isolation. This research emphasizes systematic risk factors associated with increased boundary violations, a perspective that has is essential in considering policy reform in correctional environments. Background Those who work in corrections are responsible for the health and safety of incarcerated individuals. Correctional staff who violate professional boundaries weaken this … [Read more...] about Summary: Staff As a Conduit for Contraband – Developing and Testing Key Assumptions of Professional Boundary Violations in Prison
Interview: Michelle Berry on Prevention, Recognition, and Intervention of Staff Boundary Violations in Correctional Psychology
Michelle Berry is a clinical psychologist working in the Department of Corrections (DOC) in New Zealand, with qualifications in law and psychology. She has approximately 17 years of experience working in corrections, including as a clinician, supervisor, and manager of correctional psychologists. Currently, she is the Manager of Psychology Practice in New Zealand’s DOC National Office. She and her team help to develop and support safe, ethical, and effective psychology practice. A small aspect of this work can involve responding to complaints and concerns related to psychology staff and their practice. In relation to suspected boundary violations, Michelle emphasizes that preventative … [Read more...] about Interview: Michelle Berry on Prevention, Recognition, and Intervention of Staff Boundary Violations in Correctional Psychology
Interview: Dr. Sarah Lewis on How Correctional Environments Support and Challenge Staff Boundaries
Dr. Sarah Lewis is a criminologist and a penal reformer based out of the United Kingdom who specializes in cultural change within prisons and corrections. She has 20 years of experience in and out of probation and prison settings. As the director of Penal Reform Solutions and Grow, Transform, Belong CIC, Dr. Lewis oversees a team of people with personal and professional lived experience who work together to bring about social change in correctional environments. The theme of this bulletin is particularly relevant in Dr. Lewis’ work, as maintaining professional boundaries in correctional environments is essential in cultivating a healthy, productive, and functioning system. Facilities … [Read more...] about Interview: Dr. Sarah Lewis on How Correctional Environments Support and Challenge Staff Boundaries
Foreword
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
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources
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, 2025 include IACFP, recent publications, and upcoming conferences. IACFP hosted its annual in-person board meeting on October 21st. This meeting was held in conjunction with the 3rd IACFP International Correctional Mental Health Leadership Network in-person meeting 21-23 October in Oslo, Norway. Fifteen countries were represented at the Network Meeting, which provided an outstanding opportunity to learn from each other and to share challenges, innovations, and best practices. The highlights of both meetings … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources
10 Ideas for Prioritizing Wellness This Week
Do a self-care task that takes less than 60 seconds (Drink some water, take 3 deep breaths, stand up and stretch, etc.). Try doing this at least 3 times this week. Ask a colleague, “How have you been doing?” Not as a greeting, but a genuine check in. Thank a colleague for all the work they do. Write down something you are good at in your job. Then, write down something you enjoy about your job. Think: If you saw a colleague engaged in an escalating situation, how would you use one of the 3 D’s (Distract, Delegate, Direct)? It’s okay if you don’t actually do it this week. Thinking about it ahead of time may help you make quicker decisions when a situation does call for it. Tell … [Read more...] about 10 Ideas for Prioritizing Wellness This Week
Interview: Dr. Abigail Tucker on Active Bystandership as a Catalyst for Improving Correctional Staff Wellness
Dr. Abigail Tucker is an American Psychological Association board-certified police and public safety psychologist, a unique branch of correctional psychology, out of Colorado, United States. In childhood, Dr. Tucker wanted to work as a police officer and eventually for the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) but instead found her passion in college: psychology. In graduate school, she was told, “If you want to specialize in anything, be a generalist,” and so that is exactly what she did. Dr. Tucker gained experience in community mental health, jails, detox facilities, hospitals, crisis centers, and more. Despite her multitude of experience working with incarcerated people, in the past … [Read more...] about Interview: Dr. Abigail Tucker on Active Bystandership as a Catalyst for Improving Correctional Staff Wellness
