As I reviewed the contributions for this edition of the IACFP Bulletin, one theme stood out clearly: the importance of understanding the unique person behind the behaviour. Across jurisdictions, cultures, and correctional systems, practitioners are increasingly moving beyond narrow risk-focused approaches to explore how identity, strengths, motivation, neurodevelopment, and human relationships shape desistance.
We begin with innovative work from Hong Kong’s Correctional Services, where the MindSport programme combines character strengths and physical training to support positive identity development among young people in custody. We also feature the Irish Prison Service’s Building Identity Programme, demonstrating how psychological formulation and narrative understanding can help young adults make sense of their experiences and engage more effectively in rehabilitation.
The edition also explores emerging developments we hope influence the future of criminal justice practice more broadly. An article by Tia Tourville examines neuro-responsive approaches within courts and correctional systems, and her interview with Dr Joel Porter considers practical applications of motivational interviewing for people who work throughout the criminal justice system. Together, they challenge us to think critically about how we create systems that support accountability while recognising that motivation, developmental, psychological, and social factors influence behaviour and understanding.
Importantly, these approaches should not be misunderstood as being soft on crime. Effective rehabilitation and desistance-focused practice are fundamentally concerned with community safety. By helping individuals develop more prosocial identities, strengthen motivation for change, improve decision-making, and engage meaningfully with interventions which are meaningful to them, we increase the likelihood of sustained behavioural change and reduce future victimization. The ultimate measure of success is not participation in a programme or compliance with a process, but safer communities, fewer victims, and lasting reductions in offending.
This Bulletin also reflects IACFP’s ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between research and practice. The practitioner summaries, international updates, and professional development opportunities included throughout this edition are intended to provide readers with quick and accessible information on relevant conferences, workshops and other continuing education events, and CJB practitioner focused abstracts which we hope can be translated into day-to-day work across prisons, probation, forensic mental health services, and community corrections.
We are particularly keen to hear from practitioners working on the front line of services. Many of the most important advances in correctional and forensic practice begin as local innovations developed to solve real-world challenges. If you have developed a programme, evaluated a new approach, implemented a promising initiative, or learned lessons that may benefit colleagues internationally, I encourage you to consider contributing to a future edition of the Bulletin. By sharing knowledge across jurisdictions, we strengthen our collective ability to support desistance, improve outcomes, and enhance community safety.
On behalf of the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology, I would like to thank all contributors for sharing their expertise, innovations, and experiences. I hope this edition provides useful ideas, stimulates discussion, and encourages continued development across our field.
If you have something you wish to share, please contact us at community@myiacfp.org.
Dr Emma Regan
President, International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology
June 2026
