Professor Michael Brookes was formerly Director of Therapeutic Communities at HMP Grendon where for eleven years he was the clinical lead within this accredited therapeutic community prison. Prior to this appointment, Michael worked as an Area Psychologist, at HMPS HQ and in a secure Youth Treatment Centre. He is a consultant chartered and registered forensic psychologist and was appointed an OBE in 2013 for services to HM Prison Service and the Care of Prisoners. Michael has entered academia at this stage of his career to share his knowledge and experience with students interested in the professional application of forensic psychology.

I’m currently working as an Anglican chaplain in a men’s prison in the North East of England. During my time there I have trained as a psychotherapeutic counsellor, in order to be more effective in the work that is needed. My previous experience includes many years in Music Education, and since 2004, community work in the role of a parish priest and now chaplain. Prior to therapeutic training, I trained as a Spiritual Director in the Ignatian tradition. I see the real work of both spirituality and therapy as deeply connected to what it means to be fully human.

Dr Euan Hails is employed as the Consultant Nurse for S-CAMHS at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. He has extensive experience in providing cognitive behavioural, psychosocial interventions and family work to individuals with psychosis and their families/carers. Euan has extensive experience in developing accredited skills based courses designed to enable mental health workers to develop skills in psychological interventions notably; CBT, CBTp and family work. Euan has worked in the UK, Ireland and Australia and delivered skills based training, clinical intervention packages and service developments, notably first accredited CBT training course in NSW, Australia and first Case Management Team in the UK. He is currently developing At Risk Mental State and Early Intervention Psychosis Services locally and nationally as the First Episode Psychosis Lead at the 1000LIVES I mental health section at Public Health Wales, Welsh Government. He also represents Wales at the UK wide IRIS Early Interventions Leads Committee and is the Welsh Lead for the Counselling in Prisons Network and a Trustee of the CPN Charity. Euan sits on a number of Welsh Government task forces leading on the development of S-CANHS in Wales. He is the Chair of the HAFAL ‘Let’s Talk about Psychological Therapies’ project. Euan was an Adjunct Professor of Mental Health Nursing at Charles Sturt University, a Visiting Associate Clinical Professor in Mental Health Nursing, University of Wollongong, Australia and a Senior Lecturer at The School of Medicine, Swansea University. In 2012 he was awarded his Doctor of Education from the School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University.

I am the current Counselling in Prisons Network (CiPN) Board Member for Scotland and find the post a great honour. I work providing counselling in Scotland for prisoners with drug and alcohol-related problems since 2012 and in my own private practice from the person-centred and emotion focused approach. I have a strong background working with people who have drug and alcohol-related difficulties, BBV, mental health difficulties and anxiety. I have extensively researched the experiences of prisoners undertaking person-centred therapy and produced a body of research entitled ‘Alcohol Counselling in Prison: A Qualitative Study’ for my MSc. My intention was to documenting the lives of the prisoners who had received counselling from their perspective and a small section of the good work we do.

Erick Oduor is Counsellor at Cruse Bereavement Care working in Prison in N.Ireland for the last 9 years, and also a supervisor with Cruse Bereavement Care. I also have a private practice that has been operating for the last seven years. I also am a Board member with CIPN representing Ireland which has been grateful to serve and Great privilege as I have enjoyed promoting counseling in the prison network.