My name is Victoria Empsall. I have been employed by HMPPS since 2011, originally as a Psychological Assistant delivering interventions for women in custody. I became a Forensic Psychologist in Training in 2017 and continued to work with women sentenced to prison. My interest in the area of trauma responsive practice was initially piqued within the context of gender-informed intervention, and was buoyed by my attendance at Dr Stephanie Covington’s ‘Becoming Trauma Informed’ session for Criminal Justice Professionals. This led to my involvement in related research, consultancy and training projects for Women’s Estate Psychology Service. I am by no means an expert in this field; however, I have used my knowledge to inform policy and practice within my own service and beyond. I look forward to showcasing the ‘Responding with Compassion’ policy booklet, developed in consultation with residents and psychologists from the Women’s Estate.

Rebecca is a Chartered and Registered Forensic Psychologist and has worked for HMPPS for 17 years. She has experience of working with both male and female service users and is currently based in the Women's Estate Psychology Service. Working with women in prison has always been a key area of interest, particularly in regards to how trauma experiences, and associated power imbalances, impact on women coming into contact with the Criminal Justice System. Rebecca recently undertook a piece of qualitative research entitled, "Power, autonomy, and control in women in prison". The aim of this research was to explore how women's experiences of power, autonomy, and control contribute to prison life within the context of gender-specific abuses they have suffered pre-custody. It explored how power, autonomy, and control are sought by women via 'problematic' behaviours such as self-harm and/or disruptive behaviours. The research made recommendations for how we can work within a gender-specific framework of understanding to assist in the decrease of such  behaviours and increase legitimate power, autonomy, and control in the women we work with."

My name is Poppy Marston and I am a Forensic Psychologist in Training. I currently work at HMP Foston Hall, for the Women's Estate Psychology Service (WEPS) of HMPPS. I have been in this position since October 2018, having never worked in a prison setting before. In this time, I have been fortunate enough to have had opportunities to be involved in a number of projects for WEPS. This has included completing research into the illicit economy and debt within the women’s estate, alongside re-writing the StEM policy, which is a trauma informed initiative to help support and manage residents who present with complex needs, such as prolific self-harm, violent actions or non-compliance with the prison regime. I am interested in a compassionate and trauma-informed approach, ensuring that I consider all aspects of diversity and inclusion throughout my work and with those I work with, including colleagues and residents. I am looking forward to presenting my work during the DFP conference and to continuing to develop my own practice and the field of Forensic Psychology.