Independent Prison Psychology Reports
Expert psychological prison reports are often required at points of transition or disagreement in the management of cases. This can include parole hearings, recategorisation reviews or review of existing or remaining intervention. Dr Forster is knowledgeable of all aspects of psychological intervention in prison, including Psychologically Informed Planned Environments, Therapeutic Communities and Offending Behaviour Programmes, thereby ensuring that all options are considered when producing recommendations.
Dr Forster has clinical and forensic expertise in the assessment of a wide range of specific difficulties or presentations. In addition to the assessment of risk, Dr Forster is able to provide assessments of Personality Disorder, Psychopathy and Mental Health difficulties. Furthermore, he is qualified to assess for cognitive functioning, learning disability and specialist neuropsychological difficulties. Integration and synthesis of multiple assessments into one coherent case conceptualisation is a particular strength of Dr Forster’s work.
In addition to the above, independent reports are helpful in cases where there are numerous historical or presenting issues. In particular, issues of severe mental health difficulties, personality disorder or neurodevelopmental disorders (such as learning disability, autism or ADHD) can make it difficult to ascertain the appropriate location or intervention for an individual. Dr Forster has experience across NHS and Criminal Justice Settings so is well informed in providing expert opinion on cases where there are many factors to be considered.
Dr Forster primarily works across the Midlands providing reports at a number of prisons. He mainly works with LAA funding but will also work for privately funded cases when instructed by legal representatives.
Criminal Court Reports
It is crucial for accurate and appropriate disposal for courts to understand what is underpinning offending behaviour, presentation and risk. In order to fully inform the court process, Dr Forster is able to undertake assessments across all periods of the court process and in numerous informative areas.
This includes cognitive assessment, either for adaption to the court process or the impact upon intellectual functioning on risk, culpability or intervention. Mental health, personality and trauma history can have significant impact upon offending behaviour and ability to manage in custodial settings. Dr Forster is not only able to assess the presence and impact of these difficulties but also produce clear and easily-understood advice to court professionals. Risk summaries and formulation, as well as guides to intervention and working with individuals, are often included and add significant value to all involved in a case.
Beyond these areas, Dr Forster is able to provide second opinion assessments on a range of issues, including capacity to consent, learning disability and malingering. Risk assessment at the pre-sentencing stage is also available to help in the preparation of suitable and tailored recommendations. If any of these areas are of use or wish to discuss a case further, please do use the details available on the contact page.