The Forensic Update Podcast

In this episode of the Forensic Update Podcast, Dr Rachel Worthington is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Abi Willis to explore one of the most complex and challenging areas of forensic psychology: risk assessment for people serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences.

IPP sentences were abolished in 2012, but not retrospectively, meaning people sentenced under the system can remain subject to its provisions. For those still in custody, psychological risk assessment can play an important role in informing decisions about risk, progression and eventual release. Dr Abi Willis - Final Edit

Drawing on her paper published in the 152nd edition of Forensic Update, Abi examines the evidence underpinning the Structured Professional Judgement tools routinely used within forensic practice, including the widely used HCR-20.

The conversation explores:

• What IPP sentences are and why they remain such a challenging issue
• The psychological impact of imprisonment beyond tariff
• The role psychologists and risk assessments can play in the IPP process
• Structured Professional Judgement tools and the HCR-20
• What the research tells us about the predictive validity of risk assessment
• The lack of research specifically examining these tools within IPP populations
• Why individual context, mental health, neurodiversity and other factors matter
• The difference between risk prediction, formulation and treatment planning
• Power and responsibility within psychological assessment
• How psychologists can be more transparent about uncertainty and limitations
• Whether repeating a psychological risk assessment is always the best response when uncertainty remains
• The concept of safe uncertainty and what it could mean for the future of forensic practice

Importantly, Abi is not arguing against the use of Structured Professional Judgement tools. She describes them as the best available approach to producing comprehensive and robust risk assessments, while asking an important question: are psychologists sufficiently clear about what these assessments can, and cannot, tell us? Dr Abi Willis - Final Edit

It is a thoughtful conversation about evidence, ethics, professional responsibility and the considerable consequences psychological assessments can have for the people being assessed.

Ultimately, Abi challenges the profession to become more comfortable acknowledging uncertainty, while considering how psychology can contribute to progress for people serving IPP sentences without losing sight of public protection.

Further information: The UK Parliament Justice Committee has published information and evidence relating to its inquiry into Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences.

UK Parliament: Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences

In this episode of the Forensic Update Podcast, we're joined by Richard Shuker, Chartered and HCPC registered forensic psychologist and Head of Clinical Services at HMP Grendon, to explore the fascinating world of therapeutic communities within prisons.

Drawing on decades of experience at Grendon, Richard discusses how therapeutic communities differ from more traditional approaches to rehabilitation, and why relationships, responsibility, community and a sense of belonging can play such an important role in helping people understand and change harmful patterns of behaviour.

The conversation explores:

• The history and development of therapeutic communities in prisons

• How therapeutic communities differ from traditional CBT approaches

• Why relationships can become a powerful therapeutic tool

• Understanding the drives, motives and early experiences behind offending behaviour

• Creating a sense of community, responsibility and shared purpose within prison

• Why apparently simple changes, including how people are welcomed and spoken to, can have a significant impact

• Creating safer and more respectful prison environments

• Offence denial, shame and creating safe opportunities to discuss offending

• How therapeutic community principles have influenced rehabilitative culture and psychologically informed environments

• The role of compassion and trauma-informed practice

• What therapeutic communities can teach the wider prison system

Richard also explores an important question at the heart of forensic practice: what happens when rehabilitation becomes part of everyday life rather than something confined to a treatment session?

From building meaningful relationships to giving individuals genuine responsibility within their community, this conversation offers a fascinating insight into what becomes possible when a prison environment itself becomes part of the therapeutic process.

Looking to the future, Richard considers how therapeutic communities can continue to evolve, incorporating learning from compassion-focused and trauma-informed approaches while retaining the principles that have made them such a distinctive part of forensic psychology.

In this episode of the Forensic Update Podcast, we're joined by Mary McMurran, one of the UK's leading forensic psychologists whose work has transformed our understanding of motivation, rehabilitation, personality disorder and forensic formulation.

Drawing on an exceptional career spanning prisons, secure hospitals, academia and the Parole Board for England and Wales, Mary reflects on how forensic psychology has evolved over the past four decades and the challenges that continue to shape rehabilitation today.

Together we explore:

• Mary's journey into forensic psychology and the mentors who shaped her career
• Alcohol-related violence and the origins of her research
• Why motivation and treatment readiness are central to successful rehabilitation
• The importance of formulation in understanding offending behaviour
• What makes people engage with treatment - and why some don't
• The realities of parole decision-making and managing risk in the community
• Why effective rehabilitation requires more than completing programmes
• The strengths - and limitations - of current offending behaviour interventions
• The growing influence of psychology on risk assessment across the criminal justice system
• Artificial intelligence and the future of forensic psychology

Mary also shares valuable insights from her experience as a Parole Board member, discussing the practical challenges of balancing public protection with rehabilitation, and why community support remains one of the most important yet under-resourced aspects of reducing reoffending.

This thoughtful and insightful conversation explores how evidence, compassion and psychological formulation continue to shape modern forensic practice - and where the profession may be heading next.

In this episode of the Forensic Update Podcast, we're joined by Anthony Beech, one of the UK's most influential forensic psychologists, whose work has shaped research, training and clinical practice for more than three decades.

Professor Beech reflects on the evolution of forensic psychology, from early approaches to rehabilitation of those in custody through to today's growing understanding of neuroscience, adverse childhood experiences and compassionate, evidence-based interventions.

The conversation explores:

• Anthony's journey into forensic psychology
• Why adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) remain central to understanding offending
• The role of neuroscience in forensic assessment and rehabilitation
• Why traditional talking therapies are not always enough
• Brain-friendly interventions, including mindfulness, compassion-focused therapy and EMDR
• Digital technology, online behaviour and future challenges for forensic psychology
• Ethical considerations in forensic assessment and decision-making
• Prevention, early intervention and reducing unnecessary imprisonment
• The future of forensic neuroscience and criminal justice
• Advice for the next generation of forensic psychologists

Anthony also discusses why rehabilitation should be informed by an understanding of brain development, trauma and neuropsychology, while challenging practitioners to think beyond traditional models of intervention and embrace new evidence-based approaches.

This thought-provoking conversation highlights how neuroscience, compassion and prevention are helping to shape the future of forensic psychology

In this episode of the Forensic Update Podcast, we're joined by Jane Ireland, Professor of Forensic Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University, Violence Treatment Lead at Ashworth High Secure Hospital, and Academic Lead for the Ashworth Research Centre.

With more than three decades of experience spanning forensic practice, research, academia and violence treatment, Jane reflects on how forensic psychology has evolved and where the profession may be heading next.

The conversation explores:

• How forensic psychology has changed over the past 30 years
• The shift from formulation to checklist-driven risk assessment — and back again
• Why formulation remains central to understanding offending behaviour
• Cognition, aggression and the mechanisms that drive violence
• Hostile attribution biases, normative beliefs and decision-making
• Neurodiversity, acquired brain injury and violence risk
• Diagnosis, personality disorder and treatment planning
• Clinical psychopathy and why it still matters
• Treatment sequencing and tailoring interventions to individual needs
• The importance of maintaining the art of conversation in forensic practice

Jane also shares her thoughts on the future of forensic psychology, warning against over-reliance on assessment alone and advocating for a stronger focus on treatment, clinical formulation, and understanding the individual behind the behaviour.

This is a fascinating conversation for practitioners, researchers, trainees and anyone interested in how forensic psychology can continue to evolve while staying grounded in sound clinical practice.

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In this episode of the Forensic Update Podcast, we're joined by David Prescott, internationally respected mental health practitioner, educator and author with more than 40 years of experience working in the field of sexual violence prevention, trauma and rehabilitation.

David reflects on how forensic practice has evolved over the decades, from simplistic explanations of offending behaviour towards a far more nuanced understanding of trauma, human motivation, attachment, resilience and protective factors.

The conversation explores:

• How the field of sexual violence prevention has changed over time
• Trauma, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and offending behaviour
• Why most people who experience abuse do not go on to offend
• Cognitive rigidity, trauma responses and therapeutic challenges
• The importance of social connection and community support
• Protective factors and the emerging role of the SAPROF-SO
• Why prevention should sit at the centre of forensic practice
• The emotional realities of working in sexual violence prevention
• Practitioner wellbeing, burnout and finding meaning in the work
• What effective intervention and rehabilitation really look like

David also discusses the importance of language in forensic practice, the shift away from offence-based labels, and why helping people build meaningful, connected lives is central to reducing future harm.

This is a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about trauma, prevention, rehabilitation and the future of forensic intervention.

In this episode of the Forensic Update Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Caroline Logan, consultant forensic clinical psychologist, honorary associate professor at University College London, and internationally respected expert in personality disorder, forensic interviewing, violence risk and extremism.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across forensic mental health services, law enforcement and threat assessment settings, Caroline reflects on the human side of forensic psychology and the importance of curiosity, formulation and meaningful human connection in working with risk and violence.

The conversation explores:

• Caroline's journey into forensic psychology
• The influence of Jimmy Boyle's A Sense of Freedom
• Personality disorder and understanding the person behind the offence
• Why formulation matters more than labels alone
• The emotional realities of forensic work
• Curiosity as a core forensic psychology skill
• The "delicate dance" of forensic interviewing
• Young people, social media and online extremism
• Technology, AI and the future of forensic practice
• Supervision, multidisciplinary teamwork and professional resilience

Caroline also shares powerful reflections on identity, humanity and the importance of seeing beyond offence-focused narratives when working with people who have caused serious harm.

This is a thoughtful, warm and deeply reflective conversation about what forensic psychology looks like when we stay curious, relational and human.

In this episode of the Forensic Update Podcast, we're joined by Tony Ward, internationally recognised forensic and clinical psychologist and creator of the Good Lives Model (GLM).

Tony reflects on the development of the GLM and challenges some of the traditional assumptions that have shaped forensic psychology for decades. Together, we explore what rehabilitation should really look like, why reducing risk alone is not enough, and how meaningful human lives sit at the centre of lasting change.

The conversation explores:

• The origins of the Good Lives Model
• Why offence categories can be psychologically misleading
• The limitations of purely risk-focused approaches
• Human needs, agency and strengths-based rehabilitation
• Dynamic risk factors and why formulation matters
• Ethical dilemmas in forensic and correctional practice
• Protective factors and the future of intervention design
• What the next generation of forensic psychologists should understand about treatment and rehabilitation

Tony also discusses why forensic psychology "isn't what you think," and explains why the field may need to rethink how it conceptualises offending behaviour, treatment, and desistance.

This is a thoughtful, challenging and deeply insightful conversation about the future of forensic psychology, ethical practice, and what genuinely helps people build different lives.

In this episode of the Forensic Update Podcast, we're joined by Sally Tilt, Chair of the Division of Forensic Psychology at the British Psychological Society.

Sally reflects on the evolving landscape of forensic psychology, the importance of accessible research communication, and why podcasts have the power to bring academic work to life in a completely different way.

From the future of research dissemination to the role of technology, artificial intelligence, and even virtual reality in forensic psychology, this conversation explores where the profession may be heading over the coming years - while keeping human connection firmly at the centre of practice.

Welcome to the first episode of the Forensic Update podcast from the Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP) Division of Forensic Psychology | BPS part of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

In this launch episode, we explore three urgent and complex issues shaping contemporary custodial practice.

Deputy Prison Director Scott Newey discusses his research into dual harm in prisons, examining why some individuals engage in both self-harm and violence towards others and what can be done to reduce this.

Dr Tanya Garrett from the University of Birmingham joins us to examine sexual boundary violations in custodial settings, why these may occur and what can be done to reduce. This conversation raises critical questions about recruitment, institutional culture, and how services can create environments where concerns are raised early and safely. (do we need the time slots in here so people know where in the podcast this starts and ends?)

Finally, Forensic Psychologist in Training (FPiT) Adam Fedorniak discusses neurodiversity within the prison workforce

This episode sets the tone for the podcast: rigorous research, open discussion, and a commitment to translating psychological insight into practice.

If you would like to access the full papers discussed, visit the Forensic Update section on the British Psychological Society website at: Forensic Update | BPS - British Psychological Society

00:00:00 Welcome to the First Episode of Forensic Update

00:02:45 Dual Harms in Prisons - Scott Newey

00:48:20 Sexual Boundary Violations in Prisons – Dr Tanya Garrett

01:09:40 Neurodiversity in the Prison Workforce – Adam Fedorniak

01:15:30 Book Reviews and How to Contribute

01:17:10 How to Access Forensic Update Papers

The opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent the views of their employers, organisations, or partners. All content is provided for general information only. The hosts and producers assume no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information contained in this podcast.