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Forensic psychologist (prison and probation services): Job description and activities

Job description

Forensic psychologists work mainly in the prison and probation services to develop intervention techniques and treatment programmes for use with both offenders and people under supervision.

They develop one-to-one or group treatment programmes to specifically address offending behaviour and psychological need, for example, to manage depression, anger or anxiety. Forensic psychologists play a critical role in the assessment of offenders and the provision of support and training for other staff. Research is a further element of their work, as is presenting evidence in court and advising parole boards and mental health tribunals.

Using expertise based on psychological theory and research, forensic psychologists work closely with other professionals and agencies both in the assessment and treatment of individuals, and in the development of institutional policy and working practices.

Typical work activities

Forensic psychology is often perceived as concerning criminal investigation and profiling. While this is one aspect it predominantly relates to the assessment and treatment of criminal behaviour. Forensic psychologists work not only with prisoners and offenders but also other professionals involved in the judicial and penal systems. Much of the work of a forensic psychologist focuses on therapy in correctional settings where tasks typically involve:

• carrying out one-to-one assessments, often to assess the risk of re-offending (e.g. for lifers being released into the community or sex offenders after a treatment programme) or of suicide, self-injury or other high risk behaviour;
• presenting findings from assessments to a wider staff audience;
• advising prison governors on incidents;
• developing and evaluating the contribution of assessment techniques such as psychometrics;
• undertaking research projects to evaluate the contribution of specific service elements, policy initiatives or group programme developments, e.g. exploring probation 'drop-out' rates, investigating the impact of bullying in the prison environment, or evaluating the effectiveness of an anger management group programme;
• participating in delivery or management of nationally recognised cognitive-behavioural group programmes, e.g. enhanced thinking skills, or severe personality disorder and sex offender treatment programmes;
• checking and monitoring treatment groups to ensure standards and quality;
• overseeing the training of prison/probation service staff;
• preparing risk assessment reports;
• overseeing the provision of support during serious incidents;
• hostage negotiation;
• liaising with and providing consultancy to hospital staff, prison officers, the police, social workers, probation officers, representatives of the judicial and legal systems and university staff;
• attending team and area meetings.

Other tasks include:

• management and administration;
• analysing local, area and national policy to develop strategies for continuous improvement;
• casework notes and court work, sometimes including attendance and providing expert witness testimony.

AGCAS

Written by David Henderson, University of Durham

Last updated:

October 2009

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