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.