The Coaching Psychology Pod - 03: Coaching in prisons

Apr 30 2023 51 mins 3

In today’s episode Dr Natalie Lancer explores with Dr Nic Bowes, Honorary Professor Geraldine Akerman, Vicki Cardwell and Lilian Flynn, how coaching can impact both prisoners and prison staff. Coaching is used by forensic psychologists and volunteer coaches to develop motivated prisoners’ full potential. We learn about the challenges and rewards of coaching in this environment, through discussing:

• How is coaching employed in the prison system?
• How do coaches get the prisoners engaged in the coaching process?
• How do coaches work with prison staff?
• How do forensic psychologists contribute to a coaching culture?
• How can coaching help prisoners prepare for being released?
• How can coaches and prisoners be flexible and innovative when engaging with coaching in a complex, prison environment?
• How can a focus on the whole person inspire relationship, engagement and meaning in a prisoner’s life?
• How can a strengths-based coaching approach be used to nurture a sense of hope, compassion and self-actualisation?
• How can coaching in a prison sharpen a coach’s skills and practice?
• What is involved in becoming a volunteer coach in a prison?

Coaching in prisons can have an enormous impact on prisoners and staff, as well as the coaches involved, and yet this is a coaching context that is rarely discussed. We reveal in this conversation the different ways coaching is employed by forensic psychologists and coaches in a prison environment. Our guests today are:

Dr Nic Bowes is a forensic psychologist and has over 20 years of clinical experience, working with people who have committed serious offences. She is a Reader in Forensic Psychology at Cardiff Metropolitan University, leads the largest Higher Education Practitioner Forensic Psychology training programme in the UK. Nic is also an active researcher. Her specialism and research interests focus on criminal violence and in the prevention of, treatment of and management of violence. Nic is also the Chair of the British Psychological Society Division of Forensic Psychology.

Honorary Professor Dr Geraldine Akerman is a forensic psychologist who has worked in prisons for over 24 years. Geraldine has worked with young people and adult males in secure and open prisons, encouraging residents and staff to reach their potential. The majority of her career was in a therapeutic community. Geraldine helps prison staff develop their skillsets and enhance their learning to help them achieve more job satisfaction, thus aiding retention in what can be a challenging environment. Geraldine is the past Chair of the British Psychological Society Division of Forensic Psychology.

Vicki Cardwell is the CEO of Spark Inside (www.sparkinside.org), a pioneering charity that uses coaching to unlock the potential of individuals and drive culture change in the criminal justice system so that rehabilitation is possible. She spent a decade working in leadership roles in the criminal justice sector, following an earlier career in public policy. She has led justice collaborations to secure legislative change; and helped found the ground-breaking Transition to Adulthood Alliance making the case for a distinct approach to supporting young adults in the criminal justice system. Vicki holds a Master’s in Social Policy and accredited coaching qualifications.

Lilian Flynn is an ICF Professional Certified Coach, trainer and coach supervisor. She is a volunteer coach for Spark Inside. She holds a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology from the University of East London. She runs her own private practice, where she helps clients in the area of mindset and creating a positive psychology. As well as coaching in prisons, Lilian works with senior leadership teams in organisations and offers coach training and CPD courses on Group Coaching and Positive Psychology.

Your host, Dr Natalie Lancer, is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, and British Psychological Society (BPS) Registered Supervisor. She is the Chair of the BPS’s Division of Coaching Psychology and an accredited member of the Association for Coaching. She is the host of this podcast series and invites you to email any comments to [email protected]