Staff profile

Graham Towl is Professor of Psychology at Durham University (DU) and visiting clinical professor at Newcastle University. His current primary research area is mental health, particularly prisoner suicide. He was an expert member of the Ministerial Independent Advisory Panel on deaths in state custody including hospitals and prisons. Uniquely he is the recipient of the British Psychological Society Awards for Distinguished Contributions to both Professional Practice and Forensic Academic Knowledge. He is included in A&C Black's Who's Who for exceptional contributions in the field of equality and diversity. In 2003, he was acknowledged in a national peer survey as the most influential forensic psychologist in the UK. He has practical experience of working in hospitals and prisons. As a former Senior Civil Servant, he has thorough understanding of the machinery of government. His most recent post at the Ministry of Justice was as Chief Psychologist, where he enjoyed international reputation for innovations in service delivery. He devised and established a national infrastructure for more effective delivery of psychological services across prisons and probation services in England and Wales. He has maintained his research whilst undertaking the role of pro-vice-chancellor on DU's Executive Committee. He has overseen a number of innovative change-management programmes, e.g. giving DU national presence on provision of support services for university students who have experienced sexual violence.

• Addressing sexual violence at universities
• Hate crimes and hate incidents
• Mental health
• Prisoner suicide

Authored book

• Kuay, H. S., & Towl, G. (in press). Child to Parent Aggression and Violence: A Guidebook for Parents and Practitioners. Routledge
• An International Perspective. Routledge
• Humphries, C., & Towl, G. (2020). Addressing student sexual violence in higher education - a good practice guide
• Towl, G., & Crighton, D. (2017). Suicide in Prisons: Prisoners' Lives Matter. Waterside Press
• Walker, T., & Towl, G. (2016). Preventing Self-injury and Suicide in Women’s Prisons. Waterside Press
• Towl, G., Farrington, D. P., Crighton, D., & Hughes, G. (2013). Dictionary of forensic psychology. Routledge
• Towl, G. J., & Crighton, D. A. (2009). Psychology in prisons. John Wiley and Sons
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Psychology in prisons. Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Psychology in probation services. John Wiley and Sons
• Towl, G. J. (2008). Psychological research in prisons. John Wiley and Sons
• Needs, A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Applying psychology to forensic practice. John Wiley and Sons
• Towl, G. J., & Crighton, D. A. (2002). Cognitive-behavioural Approaches to Offending. Routledge
• Farrington, D., Hancock, G., Livingston, M., Painter, K., & Towl, G. (2000). Evaluation of intensive regimes for young offenders. Great Britain, Home Office, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate
• Towl, G. J., McHugh, M., Jones, D., & Executive, N. (1999). Suicide in prisons: research, policy and practice. Pavilion
• Towl, G. J., & McDougall, C. (1999). What Do Forensic Psychologists Do?: Current and Future Directions in the Prison and Probation Services. British Psychological Society. Division of Forensic Psychology
• Towl, G. J., & Snow, L. (1998). Suicide and self injury in prisons. The Stationery Office
• Towl, G. J. (1997). Suicide and Self-injury in Prisons: Research Directions in the 1990s. The British Psychological Society
• Towl, G. J., & Crighton, D. A. (1996). The handbook of psychology for forensic practitioners. Psychology Press
• Towl, G. J. (1995). Groupwork in prisons. The British Psychological Society
• Towl, G. J., Snow, L., & McHugh, M. (1991). Suicide in prisons. Wiley

Chapter in book

• Walker, T. (2021). Trauma Informed Care in the Criminal Justice System. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Forensic Psychology (735-750). (3rd). Wiley
• Towl, G. J. (2015). Concluding Themes: Psychological Perspectives and Futures. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Forensic Psychology (437-442). (2nd ed.). Wiley
• Towl, G. J. (2015). Risk and Resilience. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Forensic Psychology (415-424). (2nd ed.). Wiley
• Towl, G. (2011). Psychology in the UK National Offender Management Service: Prisons and Probation. In J. R. Adler, & J. M. Gray (Eds.), Forensic Psychology: Concepts, Debates and Practice (529-542). (2nd ed.). Routledge
• Towl, G. J. (2008). Applied Psychological Services in HM Prison Service and the National Probation Service. In A. Needs, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Applying Psychology to Forensic Practice (222-235). John Wiley and Sons
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Suicide, Attempted Suicide and Self-Injury. In G. J. Towl, & D. A. Crighton (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (185-201). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Mental Disorder. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (127-150). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Groupwork within Prisons. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (93-107). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Psychological Assessment. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (71-92). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Development and Criminal Behaviour. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (34-56). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Prisoner Needs. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (57-70). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Problem Drug Use. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (151-166). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Sex Offending. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (217-229). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Principles of Risk Assessment. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (108-125). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2008). Post-Traumatic Stress. In D. A. Crighton, & G. J. Towl (Eds.), Psychology in Prisons (167-184). (2nd Edition). Wiley
• Towl, G. J. (2007). Drug-misuse intervention work. In G. J. Towl (Ed.), Psychological Research in Prisons (116-127). Blackwell
• Thomas-Peter, B., & Towl, G. J. (2006). The modern context of psychology in corrections: Influences, limitations and values of “what works.”. In G. J. Towl (Ed.), Psychological Research in Prisons (24-39). Blackwell
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. (2006). Methodological issues in psychological research in prisons. In G. J. Towl (Ed.), Psychological Research in Prisons (138-147). Blackwell

Doctoral Thesis

• Towl, G. (2006). A sustained and significant contribution to the development of forensic psychological knowledge, policy and practice in the UK. (Thesis). Durham University. Retrieved from https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1618558

Edited book

• Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (Eds.). (in press). Forensic Psychology. Wiley
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (Eds.). (2015). Forensic Psychology. Wiley
• Towl, G. J., & Crighton, D. A. (Eds.). (2010). Forensic Psychology. Wiley

Journal Article

• Riley, F., Harris, M., Poulter, H., Moore, H., Ahmed, D., Towl, G., & Walker, T. (2023). ‘This is hardcore’: a qualitative study exploring service users’ experiences of Heroin-Assisted Treatment (HAT) in Middlesbrough, England. Harm Reduction Journal, 20, Article 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-023-00785-y
• Siddiqui, N., Towl, G., Matthewson, J., & Earnshaw, M. (2023). Understanding the Patterns of Hate Incidents and Reporting Attitudes at a UK University. Qeios, https://doi.org/10.32388/D3PO6I
• Poulter, H., Walker, T., Ahmed, D., Moore, H., Riley, F., Towl, G., & Harris, M. (2023). More than just ‘free heroin’: Caring whilst navigating constraint in the delivery of diamorphine assisted treatment. International Journal of Drug Policy, 116, Article 104025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104025
• Franklin-Corben, P., & Towl, G. (2023). Responding to gender-based violence in higher education: changes as a function of Covid-19. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 15(3), https://doi.org/10.1108/jacpr-06-2022-0721
• Kuay, H., Boothroyd, L., Towl, G., Tiffin, P., & Munoz, L. (2022). Callous-Unemotional Traits are Associated With Child-to-Parent Aggression. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 66(15), 1603-1626. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624x211049190
• Thomson, N. D., Kuay, H. S., Baron-Cohen, S., & Towl, G. J. (2017). The impact of maternal incarceration on their daughter's empathy. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 56, 10-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2017.10.010
• Kuay, H. S., Tiffin, P. A., Boothroyd, L. G., Towl, G. J., & Centifanti, L. C. (2017). A New Trait-Based Model of Child-to-Parent Aggression. Adolescent Research Review, 2(3), 199-211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-017-0061-4
• Towl, G. (2017). Tackling Sexual Violence at Universities. The Psychologist,
• Thomson, N., Towl, G., & Centifanti, L. (2016). The habitual female offender inside: How psychopathic traits predict chronic prison violence. Law and Human Behavior, 40(3), 257-269. https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000178
• Towl, G., & Crighton, D. (2016). The emperor's new clothes?
• Towl, G. (2015). Psychological Perspectives on Risk and Resilience
• Towl, G. (2013). Student mental health: a cause for concern?. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 16(2), 29-29
• Towl, G., & Crighton, D. (2013). The politics of mental health. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 16(3), 59-59
• Towl, G. (2013). Student mental health; below the radar?. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 16(1), 1-1
• Towl, G. (2013). An Introduction to Criminal Psychology by R. Durrant. Abingdon: Routledge (2012) 390pp.\pounds 25.99 pb ISBN 978-1-843-92377-0. Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 52(5), 551-552
• Towl, G., & Crighton, D. (2012). Policing and mental health. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 15(4), 85-85
• Towl, G. (2012). Mental healthcare in prisons. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 15(3), 53-53
• Towl, G. J. (2011). Ethics of evidence. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 14(3), 62-62
• Towl, G. (2011). Forensic psychotherapy and counselling in prisons
• Towl, G. (2010). Psychology in the National Offender Management Service for England and Wales
• Shaw, J., Humber, N., Towl, G., & Crighton, D. (2010). Suicide and self-injury in offenders
• Towl, G. (2010). 3.10 Suicide in prisons
• Towl, G. J. (2010). Ethical issues in forensic psychological policy and practice
• Crighton, D. A., & Towl, G. J. (2009). Psychology in prisons, (vol 5, pg 226, 2008). Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, 6(1), 89-89
• Towl, G., & Crighton, D. (2008). Psychologists in prisons
• Towl, G., & Crighton, D. (2008). Applied psychological services in the National Probation Service for England and Wales
• Bichard, M., & Towl, G. (2007). Interview with Sir Michael Bichard KCB. International Journal of Leadership in Public Services, 3(3), 59-61
• Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (2007). Experimental interventions with sex offenders: A brief review of their efficacy. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 10(2), 35-37
• Adair, J., & Towl, G. (2006). Interview with John Adair. International Journal of Leadership in Public Services, 2(1), 31-34
• Towl, G. (2005). National offender management services: Implications for applied psychological services in probation and prisons. Forensic Update, 81, 22-26
• Towl, G. (2005). Restoring Responsibility, Ethics in Government, Business and Healthcare. International Journal of Leadership in Public Services, 1(1), 58-59
• Bates, A., Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (2005). Assessment and treatment of sexual offenders
• Towl, G. (2005). Risk assessment. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 8(4), 91-93
• Towl, G. (2005). Psychological services in prisons. The British journal of forensic practice, 7(2), 29-34
• Towl, G., & Crighton, D. (2005). Distributed leadership for distributed services: Offender management and public protection. International Journal of Leadership in Public Services, 1(1), 49-55
• Towl, G. (2004). Applied Psychological Services in Prisons and Probation (From Forensic Psychology: Concepts, Debates and Practice, P 305-319, 2004, Joanna R. Adler, ed.-See NCJ-205397)
• Towl, G. (2004). Leadership of applied psychological services in prisons and probation. The British journal of forensic practice, 6(3), 25-29
• Towl, G. (2004). Applied psychological services in HM Prison Service and the national Probation Service
• Towl, G. (2003). Psychological services in HM Prison Service
• Towl, G. (2003). Suicide in prisons. The British journal of forensic practice, 5(3), 28-32
• Towl, G. (2002). Psychological services in HM Prison Service and the National Probation Service: working towards an effective partnership. The British journal of forensic practice, 4(3), 3-10
• Towl, G. (2002). The ins and outs
• Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (2002). International self-injury (ISI)
• Towl, G., & Forbes, D. (2002). Working with suicidal prisoners
• Towl, G. (2001). The Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice
• Towl, G. (2000). Reflections upon suicide in prisons. The British journal of forensic practice, 2(1), 17-22
• Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (2000). Intentional self-injury
• Towl, G. (2000). Forensic psychology in prisons and probation. Prison service journal, 32-33
• Towl, G., & McDougall, C. (1999). Introduction: What do forensic psychologists do?
• Towl, G. J., & Crighton, D. A. (1999). The Handbook of Psychology for Forensic Practitioners
• Towl, G. (1999). Self-inflicted deaths in prisons in England and Wales from 1988 to 1996. The British journal of forensic practice, 1(2), 28-33
• Towl, G. (1999). What do Forensic Psychologists in Prisons do?. The British journal of forensic practice, 1(3), 9-11
• Towl, G. J., & Crighton, D. A. (1998). Suicide in prisons in England and Wales from 1988 to 1995. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 8(3), 184-192
• Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (1998). Suicides in prison in England and Wales. Prison service journal, 44-47
• Horn, R., & Towl, G. (1997). Anger management for women prisoners
• Needs, A., & Towl, G. (1997). Reflections on clinical risk assessments with lifers. Prison service journal, 14-17
• Towl, G. (1997). Emotional rescue: the value and limitations of anger management in our prisons
• McHugh, M., & Towl, G. (1997). Organizational reactions and reflections on suicide and self-injury
• Towl, G., & Hudson, D. (1997). Risk assessment and management of the suicidal
• J. Towl, G., & Crighton, D. A. (1997). Risk assessment with offenders. International Review of Psychiatry, 9(2-3), 187-194
• Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (1997). Self-inflicted deaths in prison in England and Wales: An analysis of the data for 1988-90 and 1994-95
• Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (1997). Self-inflicted deaths in England and Wales 1988-1990, and 1994-95
• Towl, G. (1996). Homicide and suicide: assessing risk in prisons
• Towl, G. (1995). Anger management groupwork
• Towl, G. (1995). Groupwork in Prisons-A National Survey. Prison service journal, 5-5
• Dexter, P., & Towl, G. (1995). An investigation into suicidal behaviours in prison
• Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (1995). Evaluation issues in groupwork
• Towl, G., & Crighton, D. (1995). Risk assessment in prisons: A psychological critique. Forensic Update, 40, 6-14
• Towl, G. J., & Dexter, P. (1994). Anger management groupwork with prisoners: An empirical evaluation
• Towl, G. (1994). Ethical issues in forensic psychology. Forensic Update, 39, 23-26
• Towl, G. (1994). Anger control groupwork in prisons
• Towl, G. (1993). Anger control groupwork in practice
• Towl, G. (1993). Culture Groups in Prison (From Groupwork With Offenders, P 71-79, 1993, Allan Brown and Brian Caddick, eds.-See NCJ-158762)
• Towl, G., & Fisher, J. (1992). Education in Prisons: Ideology and Change
• McHngh, M., Towl, G., & Snow, L. (1991). Reception and induction
• Morrissey, C., & Towl, G. (1991). Psychologists Assessment and Treatment of Lifers: Recommendations for futured developments

Other (Print)

• Towl, G. (2011). Protecting the Public? Detention and release of mentally disordered offenders
• Towl, G. (2008). Shouldn't psychologists do more to tackle the reoffending crisis? Response

Report

• Baird, H., Renfrew, K., Nash-Henry, Z., & Towl, G. (in press). Evaluation of Safeguarding Students Catalyst Fund Projects. [No known commissioning body]
• Report. [No known commissioning body]
• Siddiqui, N., Towl, G., Matthewson, J., Stretesky, C., & Earnshaw, M. (2019). Religious and Race Hate Experience Survey: Report Findings. [No known commissioning body]
• Harris, L. T., Coles, D., Cragg, S., Leach, P., Maganty, D., MacAttram, M., …Yong, M. A. (2015). The Harris Review: Changing Prisons, Saving Lives: Report of the Independent Review into Self-inflicted Deaths in Custody of 18-24 year olds. HM Government, Ministry of Justice