Danielle McDermott

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT DANIELLE MCDERMOTT

I am a Professor of Custodial Practice and the Director of Psychology & Criminology at the University of Law. I have a PhD in Psychology from the Institute for Psychological Sciences at the University of Leeds (exploring the psychological risk factors associated with self-harming behaviours in young and adult male offenders), for which I received a Scholarship and passed with no corrections. Prior to this, I worked for 7 years for the Prison Service, within the Psychology Department of one of the busiest local prisons in the country. In my first year working for Her Majesty’s Prison Service, I won the Prison Service Staff of the Year Award, both regionally and nationally. I was the Treatment Manager for the Safer Custody Unit at HMP Leeds; a specialist unit for vulnerable prisoners at risk of self-harming and committing suicide. I then went on to work with male juveniles, and in particular, worked with young people who committed serious violent and sexual offences; conducting risk assessments and tailored interventions. I have experience writing and presenting risk assessments to professionals, particularly for the Probation Service Parole Board, I have delivered cognitive behavioural-based interventions to offenders in both group settings and on an individual basis, I have also delivered training to Prison Service staff, and have experience writing tailored treatment plans to reduce re-offending.