Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Individuals with Convictions Research Cluster

The Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Individuals with Convictions Research Cluster aims to conduct and facilitate applied criminological research that makes a tangible impact on policy, practice and the wider community. This research cluster is embedded within the Centre for Applied Social Sciences, Policy, Practice and Research (CASSPPR) and has world leading researchers working on projects such as the prevention of child sexual abuse across Europe, drug recovery and rehabilitation and rehabilitative programmes in prison.

Our aims

To continue to develop collaborations and links with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (researchers are current working at HMP Whatton, Stafford, Grendon, Hull, Whitemoor, Ranby, Stocken), NHS, Ministry of Justice and Third Sector agencies like the Safer Living Foundation and Lucy Faithfull. To build on our international partners which include; Correctional Services Australia, Institute of Mental Health, Ottawa, University of Bergen, CEPOL, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, Polish Platform for Homeland Security)
To create reciprocal and collaborative projects with other agencies with an interest in rehabilitation of those with convictions and/or those recovering from addiction
To continue to develop key research areas within criminology including the effects of imprisonment and the prison environment on rehabilitation, identity and personality disorder, interventions with those with convictions, the role of public criminology in rehabilitation and reintegration, drug recovery and neurodiversity
To continue a programme of sustained research that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of people with convictions, to understand those recovering from addiction and to help reduce crime and victimisation.

Research cluster lead

Professor Nicholas Blagden

Professor of Criminological Psychology who has worked and researched within the Criminal Justice System and HM Prison and Probation Service for nearly 15 years.

Research cluster team

Cluster members

Our research

The researchers within the cluster have been engaged in multiple highly impactful research research projects, below is a snapshot of projects, including:

EU Horizon (2.8 million Euro) project aimed at reducing child sexual abuse through Europe with key strategic partners. The project entitled 2PS (Prevent and Protect through Support) aims to conduct cutting edge research on the prevention of child abuse and to enhance frontline practitioner resources who are working with those with a sexual attraction to children
Understanding ‘what works’ and how it works in rehabilitation programmes in UK prisons. The team are working on several MoJ funded projects related to this area
Understanding therapeutic and identity change in those with PD in high secure settings
Understanding and improving practice with those with neurodiversity in criminal justice settings
Autism, offending and the criminal justice system
Lived experiences of crime and drug recovery
Compassion with criminal justice and advancing compassionate criminology

Join us

If you are interested in joining or want more information about the projects contact n.blagden@derby.ac.uk.

Publications

Published works