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 will be shared in the next IACFP Bulletin.
1. International News
Justice Trends Magazine has several new interviews posted on their home page aimed at connecting practitioners across the globe. Of the highlighted articles, over 50% of them included comments about the importance of supporting and maintaining staff wellness. Without a well supported workforce, correctional and forensic systems cannot succeed.
2. Research
Criminological Highlights, Vol 22, September 2025
Criminological Highlights, published by the University of Toronto Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, is available here: https://www.crimhighlights.ca/criminological-highlights-vol-22-no-4-september-2025.
This issue of Criminological Highlights addresses the following questions:
- How can court-ordered therapeutic programs increase punishment?
- Why does it matter if a homicide takes place near a police officer’s residence?
- How does neighbourhood disadvantage account for differences in violence between racialized and non-racialized groups?
- Does placing people in solitary confinement cause crime?
- Is it worth explaining to automobile drivers why tickets for small speeding infractions make sense?
- What can governments do to help those with criminal records get jobs?
- Are electronically monitored community sentences more effective than imprisonment?
- How can people be questioned in a manner that is likely to be perceived as being fair?
3. Conferences & Workshops
Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation: Continuity of Care and Control, 2 – 3 December 2025, Barcelona, Catalonia-Spain
The Confederation of European Probation (CEP) and EuroPris are hosting a workshop focusing on best practices for supporting incarcerated people as they transition through re-entry into society. Scheduled talks emphasize restorative approaches, unique national practices, trauma-informed re-entry, considerations for unique populations, and more. Participation is free for CEP and EuroPris members. Registration ends on 17 November 2025!
Call for Papers: International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, 16 – 18 June 2026, Helsinki, Finland
IACFMHS is looking to open their portal for conference presentation submissions in early November, with a deadline of 5 December 2025. They are looking for talks on a wide variety of topics including, but not limited to, forensic assessment, diversion, correctional intervention, unique offending and violent behaviours, severe mental illness, gender issues, diversity issues, law enforcement, public policy, training, program evaluations, and more!
National Conference on Correctional Health Care, 18 – 20 July 2026, Austin, Texas, United States
Next year’s NCCHC conference has been announced as taking place in Austin, Texas! Portals for conference presentation submissions open in January 2026. NCCHC is excited to add a new format of presentations to their conference program – Lightning Talks, which allow for brief, informative, accessible, and engaging talks that allow conference attendees to learn about many new concepts and ideas.
Cherie Townsend, IACFP Executive Director
Tia Tourville, IACFP Communications and Projects Contractor
