DEVELOPING A REHABILITATIVE CULTURE IN FORENSIC CONTEXTS Ruth E Mann Abstract As forensic psychologists we specialise in providing psychological interventions to men and women who commit crime. We also, often, work in organisations such as prisons or community services, and our work sits in a political context where the rhetoric about criminality can swing between rehabilitative and punitive. Hence, the people we work with may experience a range of attitudes and values towards their criminal behaviour, not all of which will assist a journey towards desistance. In this presentation I will draw on psychological theory and research to help us understand the impact of organisational culture on forensic clients, and to consider what as psychologists we can do to influence and change cultures for the better.
Ruth E Mann, PhD, is a chartered and registered forensic psychologist employed by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) where she is the Head of Evidence for NOMS Commissioning Strategies Group. In this role she monitors and translates the research literature to inform evidence-based commissioning, and conducts and manages research projects designed to develop the evidence base.
