NCJ Number
205412
Date Published
2004
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This chapter explores the roles and future possibilities of applied psychology in prison settings.
Abstract
In the United Kingdom, the majority of psychologists serving the prison and probation populations are from the forensic specialty. By focusing so narrowly on one specialty, individuals in custody are not receiving the full benefits offered by a range of applied psychology disciplines. Current practices and future directions for forensic psychologists within the correctional setting are discussed and the potential roles of other applied psychologists are considered. Specifically, the author explores the roles that forensic, clinical, counseling, educational, health, and occupational psychology can play in the field of corrections. Generally, forensic psychologists engage in risk assessment and management through the use of facilitated structured group-work interventions aimed at reducing recidivism. Future developments in the field of forensic psychology may be a greater emphasis on risk assessment in incident management and an enhancement of the research base within the field. As knowledge expands there will undoubtedly be opportunities for the development of further specialties within the discipline of psychology. Clinical psychologists have much to offer in terms of addressing individual mental health issues within the correctional setting, however this is a much under-utilized specialty within corrections. Future developments in the arena of clinical psychology include the need for the mental health care of staff members. Counseling psychology is a relatively new specialty with room for expansion within the correctional setting, such as supporting staff with the reduction of sickness levels. Although the presence of educational psychologists in correctional settings is rare, they can potentially contribute to the correctional setting through consultancy services, advice, and support for staff involved with inmate education programs. Health psychologists can be part of a strategic plan to address and reduce the noted staff sickness problems in prisons. Finally, occupational psychologists are already assisting with staff selection and recruitment and can potentially offer expertise in the realm of community re-integration programs. The many improvements made in recent years in the area of inmate support services signals many more expansions are yet to come in terms of the integration of applied psychological services within correctional settings. References