Two steps forward, one step back: the evolution of forensic mental health practice

The promise of bringing together the disciplines of psychiatry, psychology and law in the development of forensic clinical practice has long been recognised. The extent to which the possibilities have been fully realised is questionable. Collaboration across the disciplines was meant to enhance clinical practice, ensure high standards in court reports, address inequity in forensic mental health care, enhance community safety and better address relevant issues in family law and civil law. This talk will provide a discussion of the early aims and opportunities in forensic clinical practice (i.e., correctional, forensic mental health, civil forensic) and will consider the extent to which they have been met. While clear progress has been made in some areas, we have struggled to realise our potential in others. given the applied and public service nature of the work forensic practitioners do, relevant public policy initiatives will be considered. Time will be allotted for a discussion with the audience as part of the address.

This lecture will be held at 6:30pm (AEDT) on Thursday 15 December 2022 at The Capitol, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Attendance is free but registration is essential.

James Ogloff is trained as a lawyer and psychologist. He is the University Distinguished Professor of Forensic Behavioural Science and Dean, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology. He is also a Special Advisor at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare). Until the middle of this year, he held the role of Executive Director of Psychological Services and Research at Forensicare. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for significant service to education and to the law as a forensic psychologist, academic, researcher, and practitioner. Professor Ogloff has specific expertise in forensic psychology, correctional and forensic mental health, mental health law, and the assessment and management of offenders. He commenced clinical work in 1982. In this capacity, he has assessed and assisted with the management of some of the most difficult offenders in Australia and abroad. He has played a significant role in service development and delivery in correctional mental health (having served as British Columbia’s first Director of Mental Health Services for Corrections) and forensic mental health (as the longest serving member of the executive leadership team at Forensicare). He has led many consultations and reviews across justice, health, youth justice, corrections, and forensic mental services.

Professor Ogloff is a Past-President of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law and a former Chair of the College of Forensic Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society. He is a Past-President of the Canadian Psychological Association and a Past-President of the American Psychology-Law Society. He has published 18 books and more than 350 scholarly articles and book chapters. He has been the senior supervisor for more than 70 doctoral students and has served as editor and associate editor of leading scholarly journals in his field. He is the recipient of the distinguished contributions awards in law and psychology/forensic psychology from the Australian Psychological Society, the Canadian Psychological Association, and the American Psychology-Law Society.