"No Country for Forensic Psychologists" Educational challenges in a country where Forensic Psychology is an undervalued field in the Criminal Justice System

• In Event: Crime, Science and Politics WG Panel 10: Identity, Discrimination, and Changing Justice Norms

Abstract

Forensic Psychology in Greece remains underdeveloped and undervalued, resulting in significant challenges for educators in the field. Concepts such as criminal responsibility, psychopathology, psychopathy, and risk assessment are often misunderstood by the general public and, at times, even by criminal justice professionals. Similarly, the roles, areas of expertise, and specializations of forensic psychologists and psychiatrists, criminologists, and other professionals are frequently confused. Systemic issues, such as the lack of forensic hospitals, the absence of a standardized protocol for risk assessment, the insufficient inclusion of forensic psychologists in the criminal justice system, inadequate social reintegration policies, and the underperformance of several organizations, are intrinsically linked to the persistent neglect of forensic psychology’s contributions.
Furthermore, the inadequate integration of forensic psychology into the curricula of professions related to the criminal justice system, the limited familiarity of students with the functioning of the criminal justice system, the scarcity of educational and research resources, and the disconnect between the field and the actual systemic needs further exacerbate these challenges. The absence of institutionalized training programs forces professionals to seek supplementary education from private organizations, highlighting their need for broader knowledge and deeper expertise. Student education often is detached from the Greek reality, where professionals in the field struggle for recognition and acceptance of their work amid numerous challenges. The adoption of best international practices and the integration of forensic psychology into professional training could contribute to ethically sound, fairer, and more effective procedures, benefiting both those involved in the criminal justice system and society at large.
The oral presentation will highlight the key challenges faced in the educational process for students and professionals, and the importance of academic and research development in the field. Finally, strategies for training new professionals and aligning existing knowledge with the needs of the Greek system will be discussed.

Author

• Erato Maria Ioannidou, Hellenic American University, CESC (Center for the Study of Crime), Center of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens