WELCOME To Counselling In PRISONS Network
The Counselling in Prisons Network was founded in 2007 primarily to provide a professional home for counsellors and therapists working in the criminal justice system. The key focus is to pool expertise, share best practice and provide an evidence base for therapeutic practice in the criminal justice system.
The counselling in Prisons Network is a Partner Organisation in The WHO
Partnership for health in the criminal justice system
(https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/prisons-and-health). The platform is used as a tool for
sharing publications, good practice guidelines, and other prison health
related information,
Our Work
Vision
To pool expertise and best practice, to identify research agendas and develop excellence in working with offenders, with a view to pushing back the boundaries.
Aims of Group
To develop and agree best practice for the engagement, management and treatment of female and male offenders who are resident in the custodial setting.
Aims of Group
To develop and agree best practice for the engagement, management and treatment of female and male offenders who are resident in the custodial setting.
OUR TEAM
Marina Hall
Marina has worked as a pluralistic counsellor in prisons since 2015. She runs a counselling service in a Cat C prison specialising in psychological trauma. She previously set up and managed a bereavement counselling service in a Cat B prison. Marina has a small private practice predominantly working with trauma and those involved in the criminal justice system. She is currently researching client experiences of change in prison therapy for her professional doctorate. She has been a member of CiPN since 2023 and became chair in 2026.
Professor Michael Brookes OBE
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.
Emily McArdle
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
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.