Compliance and legitimacy in prison-based forensic psychology practices
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Criminology
Abstract
The proposed study is an ethnographic study of prison-based forensic psychology practice, using legitimacy as an
analytical framework. Psychology practices such as risk assessment and cognitive-behavioural programmes are now a
pervasive part of UK imprisonment. Prisoners' decisions to (not)comply with these practices carry heavy consequences
for their release from prison. Therefore, prison psychologists wield considerable power. Theories of compliance with
psychology practices are limited to psychological explanations which insufficiently acknowledge power and penal
context. Wider prison literature has used legitimacy as an organising concept for understanding prisoner
(non)compliance and how power-holders respond. The study will explore prisoner (non)compliance with psychology
practices and its relationship to legitimacy, conceptualising psychologists as wielders of penal authority. It will use a
dialogic legitimacy framework to explore prisoner perceptions of legitimacy and how psychologists negotiate legitimacy.
The study will observe 20-40 units of practice (e.g. a unit might be one assessment) in two Psychology teams, mixing
observation and conversations/short interviews with the prisoner and psychologist throughout each practice unit. In-depth
interviews will be conducted with a smaller number of prisoners/psychologists, structured around legitimacy. The study
will contribute knowledge on legitimacy negotiation in a practice central to risk-based criminal justice
analytical framework. Psychology practices such as risk assessment and cognitive-behavioural programmes are now a
pervasive part of UK imprisonment. Prisoners' decisions to (not)comply with these practices carry heavy consequences
for their release from prison. Therefore, prison psychologists wield considerable power. Theories of compliance with
psychology practices are limited to psychological explanations which insufficiently acknowledge power and penal
context. Wider prison literature has used legitimacy as an organising concept for understanding prisoner
(non)compliance and how power-holders respond. The study will explore prisoner (non)compliance with psychology
practices and its relationship to legitimacy, conceptualising psychologists as wielders of penal authority. It will use a
dialogic legitimacy framework to explore prisoner perceptions of legitimacy and how psychologists negotiate legitimacy.
The study will observe 20-40 units of practice (e.g. a unit might be one assessment) in two Psychology teams, mixing
observation and conversations/short interviews with the prisoner and psychologist throughout each practice unit. In-depth
interviews will be conducted with a smaller number of prisoners/psychologists, structured around legitimacy. The study
will contribute knowledge on legitimacy negotiation in a practice central to risk-based criminal justice
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/J500033/1 | 01/10/2011 | 02/10/2022 | |||
| 2275237 | Studentship | ES/J500033/1 | 01/10/2019 | 27/09/2023 | Sophie Ellis |
| ES/P000738/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2275237 | Studentship | ES/P000738/1 | 01/10/2019 | 27/09/2023 | Sophie Ellis |
| Description | The core PhD project is still ongoing, however all fieldwork has been completed (103 interviews) and data are currently being analysed. Key findings at this stage centre on describing the complex social and moral landscape that psychologists must navigate in their work in prisons. As part of this work, I have undertaken a number of engagement and impact activities with practitioner psychologists, which have stimulated new dialogue in the field concerning the profession's history, and relationship to other crime-interested disciplines. |
| Exploitation Route | Practitioner psychologists have frequently reported to me that they find this work very stimulating for their understanding of themselves within the wider context of psychology and criminal justice, and that the engagement activities have shaped their thinking and decisions in their clinical practices. |
| Sectors | Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Description | A range of presentations on the history of psychological practices in prisons and on sociological topics pertinent to such practices have been made to/organised for practitioner psychologists |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Submission to the Justice Select Committee inquiry into the IPP sentence (prisoners and their families) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/41322/pdf/ |
| Description | Submission to the Justice Select Committee inquiry into the IPP sentence (psychologists) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/41683/default/ |
| Description | Submission to the Justice Select Committee inquiry on mental health in prisons |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | The submission was cited in paragraph 59 of the Committee's report (see https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7455/documents/78054/default/). The Committee indicated that the mental health and related issues with IPP prisoners were of such concern that they would follow up with an inquiry specifically looking at the impact of this sentence. |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/36522/pdf/ |
| Description | Cambridhe University Researcher-Led Events Fund |
| Amount | £500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2022 |
| End | 02/2023 |
| Description | Researcher-Led Events Fund |
| Amount | £500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | EDI representative of the Division of Forensic Psychology |
| Organisation | British Psychological Society (BPS) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | In the course of my time on the DFP Committee I have contributed to the activities of the EDI working group, and those contributions have often been informed by the results of my research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The DFP Committee has at times provided constructive input and advice into my research, as well as providing further opportunities to collaborate with other partners (e.g. invited guest lectures at University of Lincoln and Cardiff Metropolitan University). |
| Impact | No outputs yet - a special issue of the DFP publication (Forensic Update) is under development. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Critical Conversations in Forensic Psychology seminar series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Four online seminars were held, each with two speakers (one psychologist and one expert from another discipline) in dialogue on sociological topics relevant to psychological practices. The aim was to stimulate dialogue and knowledge exchange between forensic psychologists and their crime-interested neighbours. The seminars had 1,890 registrations in total and 100-200 live attendees per seminar. It stimulated much interest from psychologists in increasing their knowledge and connections with the sociological disciplines. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.crim.cam.ac.uk/files/critical_conversations_in_forensic_psychol... |
| Description | Podcast on the history of psychologists working in prisons |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed for the Locked Up Living podcast, which invites guests to discuss various aspects of imprisonment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://lockedupliving.podbean.com/e/sophie-ellis-delves-into-the-history-of-prison-psychology-is-th... |
| Description | Presentation: The racial history of forensic psychology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I presented initially at the Division of Forensic Psychology conference, a presentation on radicalised aspects of the discipline's history. Subsequently I was invited to give a longer version of the presentation to two Prison Service psychology teams (one completed, one not yet completed). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| URL | https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairwesteuprod/production-delegatereg-public/cf57009f53bf4096abb... |
| Description | Talks to the general public about prisons |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I do regular talks for the general public (facilitated by the Women's Institute and the Rotary Club) on the subject of prisons. In the last year I have given 11 talks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |