Guest editorial: Past, present and future – using the evidence base to support transforming delivery in His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service
| Date | 02 January 2025 |
| Pages | 1-6 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-02-2025-083 |
| Published date | 02 January 2025 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Law enforcement/correctional,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
| Author | Karen Morgan,Amy Summerfield,Glenda Liell,Martin Fisher |
Guest editorial: Past, present and future –
using the evidence base to support
transforming delivery in His Majesty’s
Prisons and Probation Service
Karen Morgan, Amy Summerfield, Glenda Liell and Martin Fisher
Welcome to the first of a two-part Special Editionof the Journal of Forensic Practice
that is wholly comprised of articlesfrom practitioners in His Majesty’s Prison and
Probation Service in England and Wales (HMPPS).
This edition has been brought together by an editorial board led by Glenda Liell from
the HMPPS National Psychology Services Safety Team, accompanied by colleagues
Karen Morgan, leading the National Research Committee in the Ministry of Justice
(MoJ), Dr Carine Lewis leading evaluation in the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway
in Health and Justice Partnerships, and Dr Sarah Edwards from National Psychology
Services, a research lead for a prison region. It would not have been possible without
their commitment, expertise and endurance. The origin of the project to share the
applied research done in HMPPS grew from discussions during the pandemic about
the need to pursue a more open approach to forensic practice and innovation in
custodial settings, where research has not previously been shared in an effective
compendium. Our thanks to the Editors in Chief and to our support team at the Journal
for taking the journey with us.
The intent of this Special Edition is to showcase the range of research undertaken in
HMPPS by forensic practitioners. We hope it demonstrates the challenges that
conducting research presents in an applied setting, working with practice issues,
where the outcomes can affect the lives of not only staff and prisoners, but also the
victims of crime and other criminal justice stakeholders. Public confidence in HMPPS is
critical to forensic practice, and this set of articles offers an insight for our readers into
research within HMPPS and what it can achieve.
This Foreword will focus on introducing the process through which research is
managed in the MoJ, how research applications are reviewed and the ethical
challenges facing researchers wanting to undertake research in prison and probation
settings with vulnerable individuals. We touch on the important aspect of collaboration
and engagement with key stakeholders of research projects, and how this can
contribute to more impactful research, increasing the likelihood of the outcomes being
utilised by decision-makers. Consideration is also given to the practicalities of
translating research into practice, although this and other specific issues relating to the
dissemination process and research impact will be covered in the Foreword for the
upcoming Part 2 of this HMPPS Special Edition.
Karen Morgan is based at
Ministry of Justice, UK
Government, London, UK.
Amy Summerfield is based
at Evidence and
Partnerships: Data and
Analysis, HMPPS, London,
UK. Glenda Liell is based at
Psychology Services
Group, HMPPS, London,
UK. Martin Fisher is based
at National Psychology
Services, HMPPS, London,
UK.
DOI 10.1108/JFP-02-2025-083 VOL. 27 NO. 1 2025, pp. 1-6, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794 jTHE JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE jPAGE 1
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