Psychology
Intervention
Including research on: Innovative ways to predict risk in offending populations (Dominic Pearson); the recovery process in addiction to alcohol and drugs (Zetta Kougiali); the development of criminality in young children (Lucy Wainwright and Claire Nee); Social climate as a mediator of adjustment and response to therapeutic interventions in custodial settings (Adrian Needs); Processes involved in personal change (Adrian Needs).
Research Example
Research is currently being undertaken which focuses on the relevance/importance or otherwise of cognitive deficits in the development of criminality. Lucy Wainwright and Claire Nee have looked at samples of offending, ‘at risk’ and non-offending children and found that, while risk of criminality is correlated with these deficits, many high risk children, with clear deficits in skills, do not offend. These children tend to be high of ‘hope’ and ‘future selves’, which may be protective factors against becoming involved in crime.
Recent publications
Burrowes, N. & Needs, A. (2009). Time to contemplate change? A framework for assessing readiness to change in offenders. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 14, 39- 49.
Pearson, D, McDougall, C., Kanaan, M., Bowles, R. and Torgerson, D. (2011) Reducing criminal recidivism: evaluation of Citizenship, an evidence-based probation supervision process. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 7 (1).
Nee, C., Ellis, T., Morris, P. & Wilson, A. (2012). Addressing Criminality in Childhood: Is Responsivity the Central Issue? Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol published online 15 October 2012.
Wainwright, L. & Nee, C. (in press). The Good Lives Model – New directions for preventative practice with children? Psychology Crime and Law.