Skip to main content

The Practice of Correctional Psychology

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Practice of Correctional Psychology
  • 925 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief overview of the competencies required for practicing correctional psychology—the application of psychological assessment, intervention, and management of offenders in jails, prisons, and other correctional settings. The current zeitgeist of psychology specialization is juxtaposed with the generalist practice skills required of contemporary correctional psychologists. These psychologists continue to need broad and general foundational knowledge about the offenders they will provide services to. The necessary common elements of this foundational knowledge is presented and used to delineate the format for each subsequent chapter. Emphasis is placed on how knowledge is applied in the correctional settings where offenders receive treatment interventions and other types of psychological services. With the topography of chapters outlined, readers are reminded of the need to supplement learning about the practice of correctional psychology from a textbook with review and understanding of policies, procedures, and experiences in supervision, and mentoring to furthering correctional psychology practice.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • American Psychological Association Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice. (2006). Evidence-based practice in psychology. American Psychologist, 61, 271–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2011). Introduction to forensic psychology (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boothby, J. L., & Clements, C. B. (2000). A national survey of correctional psychologists. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 27, 716–732. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854800027006003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boothby, J. L., & Clements, C. B. (2002). Job satisfaction and correctional psychologists: Implications for recruitment and retention. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 310–315. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corsini, R. J. (1945). Functions of a prison psychologist. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 9, 101–104. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0059164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cullen, F. T. (2005). The twelve people who saved rehabilitation: How the science of criminology made a difference – The American Society of Criminology 2004 Presidential address. Criminology, 43(1), 1–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, R. M., & Hundert, E. M. (2002). Defining and assessing professional competence. JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, 287, 226–235. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.287.2.226

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fagan, T. J., & Augustin, D. (2011). Criminal justice and mental health systems: The new continuum of care system. In T. J. Fagan & R. K. Ax (Eds.), Correctional mental health (pp. 7–36). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giardini, G. I. (1942). The place of psychology in penal and correctional institutions. Federal Probation, 29, 29–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glueck, S., & Glueck, E. T. (1930). 500 Criminal careers. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawk, K. M. (1997). Personal reflections on a career in correctional psychology. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 28, 335–337. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.28.4.335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, J. D. (1934). The work of the psychologist in a penal institution: A symposium. Psychological Exchange, 3, 49–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magaletta, P. R., Morgan, R. D., Reitzel, L., & Innes, C. (2007). Toward the one: Strengthening behavioral sciences research in corrections. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 34, 919–932.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magaletta, P. R., & Verdeyen, V. (2005). Clinical practice in corrections: A conceptual framework. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36, 37–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowland, E. (1913). Report of experiments at the state reformatory for women at Bedford, New York. Psychological Review, 20(3), 245–249. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0075385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samenow, S. E. (1984). Inside the criminal mind. New York, NY: Crown Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sell, D. E. (Ed.). (1955). Manual of applied correctional psychology. Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Mental Hygiene and Correction.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silber, D. E. (1974). Controversy concerning the criminal justice system and its implications for the role of mental health workers. American Psychologist, 29, 239–244. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0036266

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skeem, J. L., Manchak, S., & Peterson, J. K. (2011). Correctional policy for offenders with mental illness: Creating a new paradigm for recidivism reduction. Law and Human Behavior, 35, 110–126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10979-010-9223-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watkins, R. E. (1992). A historical review of the role and practice of psychology in the field of corrections. Research Reports, R-28. Ottowa, ON: Correctional Service Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (1990). The criminal lifestyle: Patterns of serious criminal conduct. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wicks, R. J. (1974). Correctional psychology: Themes and problems in correcting the offender. San Francisco, CA: Canfield Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wormith, J. S., & Olver, M. E. (2002). Offender treatment attrition and its relationship with risk, responsivity, and recidivism. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 29, 447–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Magaletta, P.R. (2018). The Practice of Correctional Psychology. In: Ternes, M., Magaletta, P., Patry, M. (eds) The Practice of Correctional Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00452-1_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics