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This up-to-date collection begins with an account and analysis of the role of psychologists in prisons in relation to research.Looks at the results of evidence based psychological approaches to working with prisonersFirst half of the book has its primary focus on psychological evaluation researchIncludes chapters on psychological research on suicide, bullying, life sentenced prisoners and staff sickness
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Psychological Research in Prisons Edited by Graham J. Towl HM Prison Service Blackwell Publishing Psychological Research in Prisons Kids Company The author has donated his royalties for this book to Kids Company, a registered charity. Statement from the Director of Kids Company In 2005 through our therapeutic programmes we supported some 4,500 clients, of whom approximately 300 were adults (patients/carers and teachers). As a charity we aim to reach communities of children who present with complex emotional and practical needs. In excess of 95% of the children refer themselves to our services, hearing about us through word-of-mouth on the streets and in their schools. They are young people who love their parents but often live with worry for their wellbeing. Children as young as four years are left to survive their experiences of violence and neglect, and to meet their own basic needs. Many children aged ten and eleven years old turn to crime in order to feed and clothe themselves. These ‘lone children’ live in local authorities where social work departments are at breaking point. Often there are no spaces in schools or mental health clinics to accommodate their needs. The absence of a functioning adult in their lives results in these children having an invisible citizenship. Kids Company advocates on their behalf, often helps them access statutory resources, where possible, and problem-solves their lives in the hope of restoring some consistency and reducing their sense of terror. We aim to return their childhood. Camila Batmanghelidjh Director Kids Company 1 Kenbury Street London SE5 9BS Tel: 0845 644 6836 Psychological Research in Prisons Edited by Graham J. Towl HM Prison Service Blackwell Publishing © 2006 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd except for editorial material and organization © 2006 by Graham J. Towl A BPS Blackwell book BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK 550 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia The right of Graham J. Towl to be identified as the Author of the Editorial Material in this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. First published 2006 by The British Psychological Society and Blackwell Publishing Ltd 1 2006 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Psychological research in prisons/edited by Graham J. Towl. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-1-4051-3314-2 (pbk.: alk. paper) ISBN-10: 1-4051-3314-7 (pbk.: alk. paper) 1. Correctional psychology – Research. 2. Prisoners–Mental health services. 3. Offenders with mental disabilities–Rehabilitation. 4. Prison psychology–Research I. Towl, Graham J. HV6089.P795 2006 365 .66–dc22 2006001710 A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library. Set in 10/12.5 pt Photina by Newgen Imaging Systems (P) Ltd., Chennai, India Printed and bound in Singapore by COS Printers Pte Ltd The publisher’s policy is to use permanent paper from mills that operate a sustainable