New publication on training for correctional officers on criminal thinking errors

As the main sponsor of the Justice for All Series, Serco reflects on how the justice system has evolved since the Magna Carta while acknowledging the ongoing challenges of overcrowding, reoffending and pressure on staff. In the first of our series of blogs, Serco focuses on practical solutions, such as therapeutic communities, education and skills programmes, digital tools, psychological services and sustainable prison design, to help create safer prisons and support rehabilitation. Link to blog in the comments.

Wisconsin is one of only three states in the country that still treat 17-year-olds as adults for criminal prosecution. The State Bar's Board of Governors hopes to change that. ✨Story in the comments.👇 💡One takeaway: "The juvenile justice system provides specialized services tailored to the rehabilitation of youth, and can provide an alternative to incarceration, often in the form of restitution and community service, with a heavy focus on treatment that reduces the likelihood of reoffending. This is in stark contrast to the adult court system, which provides little in the way of rehabilitation. Studies repeatedly show that youth placed in adult prisons reoffend after release at higher rates than those placed in a juvenile institution. Simply put, the adult criminal justice system is neither adequately equipped nor designed to handle juveniles." #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar #criminaljustice

Thanks Jon Collins from the Prisoners' Education Trust for drawing attention to research conducted by the Ministry of Justice on the educational background, characteristics, and criminogenic needs of people in English prisons. Confirming again the high rate of disadvantaged backgrounds of those incarcerated, this research goes on to show that nearly four in five (78%) people had special educational needs identified while attending school, and 18% needed additional learning support through a statement of special educational needs or an education health and care plan. In the general population the equivalent figures are 12-23% and 3% respectively. Jon's right to call not just for a reverse to cuts in prison education funding, but actually an increase in funding for prison education.

Post 1 of 3 - Pathways to Community Safety: I am pleased to share a new publication I contributed to as part of my post-doctoral research with the Planning for Abolition project. In this brief article we discuss the importance of building pathways to community safety that interupt pathways to criminalization, which impact the most marginalized people in society. We highlight some case examples and provide recommendations concerning how professional planners can learn from the transformative justice movement to enhance public safety without relying on police, prisons, and punishment. (The full article is in 3 posts since pdf files cannot be uploaded)

UCCS Social Work faculty member Dr. Stephanie Gangemi, PhD, LCSW, CCHP, recently presented “Caring, Compassion, & Conscience: Understanding and Addressing Moral Injury in Correctional Healthcare” with the Los Angeles County Department of Correctional Health Services. The session introduced the concept of moral injury to more than 120 correctional healthcare providers — exploring how ethical and emotional distress can impact those working in complex, high-stakes environments. As we look ahead, UCCS Social Work will be launching several forensic care initiatives in 2026, continuing our commitment to ethical practice, compassion, and systemic change in justice-related settings. #UCCSSocialWork #SocialWorkEducation #ForensicSocialWork #CorrectionalHealthcare #MoralInjury #ProfessionalDevelopment

Refining my presentation; Supporting Officers with Anxiety: A Guide for Supervisors, Managers, and Trainers This webinar empowers first-line supervisors, managers, and trainers with the tools to effectively support law enforcement officers and other criminal justice professionals dealing with anxiety. Participants will learn to recognize the signs of anxiety, understand its potential impact on performance, and implement strategies to foster a supportive work environment. Key topics include effective communication techniques, The Justice Clearinghouse Christina McCale, PhD International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) International Association of Chiefs of Police National Sheriffs' Association National Black Sheriffs' Association American Correctional Association American Jail Association American Probation and Parole Association Minnesota Corrections Association Police Foundation Police Executive Research Forum National Fraternal Order of Police https://lnkd.in/gFA-SgnD

Cutting prison education services is a recipe for disaster. Today, we received a stark warning from Chief Inspector Charlie Taylor about the consequences of neglecting education in prisons. It’s a message that cannot be ignored. When we strip away educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals, we’re not just failing them; we’re undermining public safety and our communities. Here are the key points to consider: 1️⃣ Education reduces reoffending. Empowering individuals with skills and knowledge leads to better outcomes once they are released. 2️⃣ Without education, prisons become breeding grounds for failure and hopelessness. 3️⃣ Investing in prison education pays dividends. Every pound spent can save multiples in future criminal justice costs. At City Skills, we believe in the transformative power of education. It should be a core component of our justice system, not an afterthought. How can we ensure that education remains at the forefront of reform in our prisons? #PrisonEducation #PublicSafety #CitySkills 📚Read the blog 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/eGbb_-DF

An important reminder from BBC News that conditions within custodial environments are under increasing scrutiny. For those working on the frontline, safety and communication remain critical - both for staff and those in custody: https://lnkd.in/eG95HZ2h At PMR, we’ve seen first-hand how solutions like SafetyNet Custodial can make a measurable difference. By combining discreet communication, real-time monitoring, and reliable alert systems, prisons and detention facilities can better protect their teams while improving response times when incidents occur. We’d love to hear from colleagues across justice and custodial services - what changes would make the biggest impact in creating safer environments for both staff and those in custody? Helen Ryder Matt Grey Mark Robinson Jo Greenlees Ian Barrow Simon Cartwright Stuart Jessup Megan Lee-Devlin Ettie Windsor Ministry of Justice UK HM Prison and Probation Service Prison Officers' Association International Corrections and Prisons Association

Great to see our client PMR Products - SafetyNet leading the conversation around safety and communication in custodial environments. Their SafetyNet Custody solution is already making a difference on the frontline — helping prisons and detention facilities protect staff and respond more effectively when incidents occur. This BBC News article highlights just how critical it is to combine the right policies with the right tools. PMR is showing how innovation can play a central role in creating safer custodial environments for both staff and those in custody. #pmrproducts #bbcnews #safetynet #criticalcommunications

✨ We are proud to highlight our latest episode of Locked Up Living, where David Jones and Dr Naomi Murphy welcomed Penny Parker, the founder of StandOut, onto the podcast. Penny’s journey from law to leading restorative justice work in prisons was truly inspiring. She spoke powerfully about what first drew her into prisons, how meaningful it was to connect with people on a real, human level, and the impact that spaces like the Sycamore Tree Project had—offering a sense of safety and honesty that’s rare in institutional settings. Penny also shared the origins of StandOut, the challenges individuals face when transitioning out of prison, and why preparing people for release is far more than just a CV writing exercise. Under her leadership, StandOut focuses on confidence, life skills, and that crucial bridge of support both inside and outside of prison. Her passion for sustainable, relationship-driven change really came through. For anyone passionate about restorative justice, prison reform, or social impact, I highly recommend tuning in. And if you’re interested in volunteering, supporting, or just learning more about what real reintegration work looks like—Penny’s story will stick with you. 🎧 Listen now and get inspired by solutions that put humanity and hope at the centre of justice. Links to watch and listen in the comments or find us wherever you usually get your pods #RestorativeJustice #PrisonReform #Reentry #StandOut #SocialImpact #Rehabilitation