Comprehensive Summaries of 2025 Correctional Research Symposium Now Available
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The 2025 CRS brought together over 250 representatives from 36 countries, creating a unique forum where corrections practitioners and researchers collaborated to discuss cutting-edge research and its practical applications in correctional settings.
The newly released compendium offers detailed summaries of all plenary sessions and parallel workshops, capturing the essence of the symposium's diverse themes:
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Individual Factors: Covering topics such as violent offending, risk assessment, recidivism, and youth-focused interventions
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Interpersonal Factors: Exploring peer mentoring, lived experiences, social supports, and transformative programs
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Community Focus: Examining holistic approaches to reintegration, prison-to-community transitions, and diversion programs
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Organisational and Policy Responses: Addressing prison culture, staff wellbeing, prison climate, and organisational adaptations.
"What makes these summaries particularly valuable is that they represent the intersection of academic research and practical application," said Dr. Frank Porporino, Chair of the Programme Committee. "They offer insights that can be implemented across diverse correctional systems."
The symposium was made possible through the collaborative efforts of numerous organisations and individuals. Special thanks go to:
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The Northern Irish Prison Service, the Northern Ireland Department of Justice, Visit Belfast, and Tourism Northern Ireland for hosting the event
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Executive Directors Natalie Boal (ICPA) and Gustav Tallving (EuroPris) and their teams for organising the symposium
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The International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology for their major sponsorship
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The Program Committee members: Maria Watson, Dr. Michelle Butler, Dr. Emma Regan, Dr. Adriano Martufi, Dr. Helen Kosc, and Dr. Frank Porporino.
Particular appreciation is extended to the graduate student contributors who attended presentations and compiled the detailed summaries found in this compendium: Elliot Bowden, Amelia Desmond, Isla Donaldson, Hannah Ferris Blair, and Silvia Martins. This compendium was visually designed and edited by Dr. Kevin Wright and Kara Forrai, with the goal of presenting the graduate student contributors’ work in an accessible and visually engaging format. Some of the student contributions were mildly edited by Dr. Frank Porporino.
The CRS 2025 summaries showcase the growing emphasis on evidence-based approaches in corrections and highlight innovative programs from around the world. From Norway's recidivism reduction strategies to Northern Ireland's reform journey, the document provides concrete examples of how research can inform and improve correctional practice.
The complete collection of CRS 2025 summaries is now available to CRS 2025 attendees and ICPA members.