Psychological formulations enables an understanding of an individual’s clinical problems and criminogenic needs to guide unique management and treatment plans to reduce the risk of re-offending and improve wellbeing (Logan, 2017). The Irish Prison Service (IPS) Psychology Service values the importance of collaborative formulations with the client and practitioner working together to develop individualised care plans. This is achieved by proactively and time efficiently referring clients with a violent offence to a group called Pathways to Change (PTCg) and clients aged 18 to 24 to individual sessions called Building Identity Programme. Both initiatives have been deemed promising interventions (Creavin, 2022; Carey, 2023).
The current presentation evaluates the effectiveness of the PTCg, which focuses on the factors that influence a person’s journey to imprisonment and encourages individuals to develop their own individual psychological formulation. This in turn informs which purposeful activities are most relevant to the person during their sentence and as they prepare for release. PTCg is facilitated by a Psychologist and an Expert by Experience (EbEs) with a history of imprisonment. Including an EbE in group delivery demonstrates to participants that they too can develop the capacities to live differently and sustain this different life to earn social capital.
Preliminary findings, using a quasi-experimental design analysing data from psychometric measures and qualitative interviews with participants and EbEs, demonstrate a reduction in pro-criminal attitudes and in external locus of control. Findings will be discussed in relation to challenges and opportunities of collaborative formulations and including an EbE in group delivery.
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Dr Rebecca Corr
Senor Psychologist, Irish Prison Service, Ireland
Dr Rebecca Corr is a Senior Clinical Psychologist in the Irish Prison Service working specifically in the Midlands Prison and Portlaoise Prison. Rebecca has worked in the Irish Prison Service for two and a half years. She completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in the University of Limerick in 2021. She has a MSc in Psychological Science from University College Dublin. Rebecca has previous experience working in a forensic psychiatric hospital; community and inpatient adult and child mental health services; and disability services.
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Dr Bernie McEvoy
Senior Counselling Psychologist, Psychology Service, Irish Prison Service, Ireland
Bernie is a Senior Counselling Psychologist in the Irish Prison Service. She has worked in the Irish Prison Service for over 4 years and is based in the Midlands Prison. Bernie completed her doctorate in Counselling Psychology in Trinity College Dublin in 2019. She also has an MSc in Counselling & Therapeutic Communication from the University of Ulster. She has experience of working within community and inpatient adult mental health services, primary care child psychological services, and disability services.
