Adrian Needs

Applying psychology to forensic practice

The central theme of this book is that forensic psychology can benefit from the insights of many other branches of psychology. The contributors draw on the findings of occupational, cognitive, developmental and social psychology, as well as more familiar clinical and criminological approaches, in order to demonstrate the various ways in which psychology can be applied within the criminal justice system.Chapters include illustrations of the application of psychology to the investigative process, to the analysis of offending, to intervening with offenders, and to increasing organizational effectiveness. The book as a whole reflects the range and synergy that characterize forensic psychology today.

Planting the seeds of change: Directionality in the narrative construction of recovery from addiction

Objective: The dominant theoretical perspective that guides treatment evaluations in addiction assumes linearity in the relationship between treatment and outcomes, viewing behaviour change as a ‘before and after event’. In this study we aim to examine how the direction of the trajectory of the process from addiction to recovery is constructed in personal narratives of active and recovering users. Design: 21 life stories from individuals at different stages of recovery and active use were collected and analysed following the principles of narrative analysis. Results: Personal trajectories were constructed in discontinuous, non-linear and long lasting patterns of repeated, and interchangeable, episodes of relapse and abstinence. Relapse appeared to be described as an integral part of a learning process through which knowledge leading to recovery was gradually obtained. Conclusion: The findings show that long-term recovery is represented as being preceded by periods of discontinuity before change is stabilised. Such periods are presented to be lasting longer than most short-term pre-post intervention designs can capture and suggest the need to rethink how change is defined and measured.

Exploring the suitability and acceptability of peer support for older veterans

Purpose Informal social support is often sought by veterans to support reminiscence or cope with traumatic memories. However, it can also encourage unhelpful ways of coping, such as avoidance, or may be absent altogether. This project is borrowed from the growing peer support literature. The purpose of this paper is to explore the suitability of peer support services to enhance the wellbeing for older veterans, when naturally occurring support is absent or unhelpful. Design/methodology/approach This was a sequentially staged research programme involving a scoping review of current practice and evidence, and a consultation with veterans. In total, ten veterans (nine male, one female) took part in the consultation (M=66 years). Findings Peer support was considered suitable, particularly in addressing loneliness and social isolation. There was an understandable concern regarding its use with more complex issues such as trauma. An added issue was the implicit assumption that this consultation concerned transition; supporting younger veteran as they move from military to civilian life. This mirrored the focus of current UK policy and affected the focus of the consultation. Issues were also raised around the sustainability of services more broadly. Social implications Peer support is appropriate in supporting older veterans, but must be implemented in a sustainable way. Raising awareness of the needs of older veterans in older adult services is an important implication for service development and delivery. Originality/value There is a considerable lack of research concerning older veterans, particularly concerning their formal and informal social support needs. This paper addresses the current gap in the literature.

Risk assessment interviews: exploring the perspectives of psychologists and indeterminate sentenced prisoners in the United Kingdom

This study explores the forensic risk assessment interview from the perspectives of qualified prison-based psychologists and indeterminate sentenced prisoners in the United Kingdom. It focuses on the psychologist–prisoner relationship in the interview context. Twenty-one in-depth individual interviews were conducted with psychologists and prisoners and analysed using Grounded Theory methods. The analysis identified the following categories reflecting participants’ descriptions of risk assessment interviews: “Emphasising Clarity and Transparency,” “Collaborative Engagement,” “Making a Respectful, Boundaried yet Human Connection,” “Respecting Individuality,” and “Having a Purposeful Conversation.” Analysis demonstrated that these categories of meaning reflected the broader notion of risk assessment interviewing as “A Difficult Balancing Act.” The views of prisoners and psychologists about the risk assessment interview were remarkably similar and provide some direction and guidance for practitioners navigating this challenging but essential aspect of forensic psychological work.

Facilitating multi-disciplinary teams

Although many forensic psychologists work in multi-disciplinary organizations, there is no single pattern in their roles and responsibilities in relation to other professionals such as prison officers,nurses and the police. The traditional, and for some still the dominant role, is that of ‘expert’. Within this capacity psychological skills and knowledge are used in the performance of specialized functions which complement the work of other staff. Examples of these functions include the provision of assessment or research reports and the direct delivery of interventions. Other psychologists, usually in addition to the expert role, support the contributions of other professionals more directly through activities such as the giving of advice or training. This role is essentially that of ‘consultant’. More recently, sizeable numbers of forensic psychologists have been given responsibility for aspects of the work of other professionals. This ‘manager’ role includes the mobilization, supervision and coordination of multidisciplinary teams. It is seen most clearly in the large-scale implementation within the prison and probation services of offending behaviour groupwork, where the establishment of the role of ‘treatment manager’ has resulted in a massive expansion in the number of trainee forensic psychologists employed.