Written by the Chief and Deputy Chief Psychologists for the Ministry of Justice, and updated to take account of the changes in structure within offender management Services, Psychology in Prisons, second edition, takes an in-depth look at the work of psychologists in Prisons.

Building on the key strengths of the first edition, this book focuses exclusively on the prison environment, where other competing texts do not, and prioritizes the practical application of theory. The authors begin by contextualising psychological work in prisons, and then covering evidence-based practice in key areas such as drug misuse, violent offending and sex offending. The focus is very much on the needs of the patient/client group, and the third section consists of four chapters on the practicalities of psychological assessments and interventions.

This new edition is further strengthened by more in-depth consideration of 'diversity' issues such as age, gender, socio-economic group, sexuality and ethnicity, which arguably impact on effective practice and will be fundamental reading for practitioners working in prisons.

David Crighton is Deputy Chief Psychologist for the Ministry of Justice, and visiting Professor of Psychology at London Metropolitan University.

Graham Towl is Chief Psychologist for the Ministry of Justice and Visiting Professor of Psychology at the universities of Birmingham and Portsmouth.