Goldsmiths Forensic Psychology Unit in association with SL5 Legal and Red Lion Chambers hosted a unique, multidisciplinary event on Thursday 8 November 2018 at Goldsmiths University, London which brought together practitioners with expertise across the criminal justice system.
Andrew Sperling from SL5 Legal co-chaired the event with Dr Caoimhe McAnena, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology from Goldsmiths.
The conference focused on the interaction between psychology and law in criminal proceedings, sentencing and post-sentencing with a strong focus on identifying key questions which should be asked at each stage of the process.
There was a mix of research presentations and panel discussions, drawing on the expertise of experienced practitioners and ex-prisoners with opportunities for dialogue and collaboration between participants.
One of the key objectives of the event was to investigate the gaps between evidence and practice, the impact of these and how they can be addressed.
Speakers included:
His Honour Noel Lucas QC who is the Resident Judge at Wood Green Crown Court
Professor David Ormerod QC who has been Law Commissioner for Criminal Law and Evidence in England and Wales, and was recently appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge
Caroline Corby, the newly appointed Chair of the Parole Board
Dr Jackie Craissati MBE (Psychological Approaches CIC)
Erwin James (Author, Guardian Columnist and Editor of Inside Time)
Brian McKenzie (Consultant Clinical Psychologist)
Pamela Attwell (Clinical Psychologist and Parole Board Member)
Dr Karen Van Gerko (Clinical Psychologist)
Martin Jones (CEO of the Parole Board)
Robert Forde (Forensic Psychologist and author of ‘Bad Psychology: How Forensic Psychology Left Science Behind’)
Dr Mark Farmer (National Specialist Lead – Sexual Offending Programmes, HM Prison and Probation Service).
The event was aimed at people working in or affected by the Criminal Justice System, including solicitors, barristers, clinical and forensic psychologists, probation officers as well as policy makers and researchers working in the areas of forensic psychology and criminal justice.
Click links below for presentations:
Session 1: The Importance of Evidence Based Interview Practice
Prof Fiona Gabbert and Prof Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos, Goldsmiths University
Session 2: Psychological and Psychiatric Evidence in Criminal Proceedings
Professor David Ormerod QC, Judge Noel Lucas QC, Brian McKenzie and Gillian Jones QC
Session 3: Challenging Cases - Issues in Sentencing and Post Sentencing
Dr Karen Van Gerko, Pamela Attwell and Andrew Sperling in conversation with Keith
Session 4: Managing Public Perceptions of Risk
Dr Jackie Craissati, Martin Jones and Erwin James
Session 5: Desistance, Reducing and Managing Risk
Dr Mark Farmer, Dr Robert Forde, Caoimhe McAnena in conversation with Tony
Session 6: Transparency and Risk – the View from the Parole Board
Caroline Corby