Recently, the IPS_Innovative Prison Systems team gathered in Porto, Portugal, for a three-day in-person meeting. The event welcomed several special guests, including Dr. Frank Porporino, a renowned expert in corrections and advisor for IPS, to whom IPS presented an honorary award for his lifetime dedication to advancing evidence-based policies, practices, and the humane treatment of incarcerated individuals.
Dr. Frank Porporino’s career in corrections is one that truly stands out for the profound impact he has had on the field over the past 40 years. His achievements reflect a deep dedication to improving correctional systems worldwide, advancing both the scientific understanding and practical application of rehabilitation strategies. His work has made a real difference in how we think about, treat, and support convicted persons.
Throughout his career, he has excelled as a practitioner, senior manager, researcher, educator, and consultant, having collaborated with agencies in more than 20 countries, serving correctional jurisdictions, probation and parole agencies, forensic hospitals, schools, employment agencies, and community justice organisations.
Beginning in 1974 as a psychologist in Canada’s oldest maximum-security prison, Kingston Penitentiary, Dr. Porporino remained for the next 22 years with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). His time at CSC saw him take on roles that allowed him to rethink how corrections could work, including the development and management of a national research programme with a budget of close to 1.5 million and 20 professional
staff.
He was instrumental in introducing a correctional programming strategy throughout the federal correctional system in Canada, emphasising an evidence-based framework for correctional practice that was subsequently emulated internationally.
In 1993, he co-founded T3 Associates to provide research-based training and consulting on an international scale. Through his consultancy and his involvement with international organisations like the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), as president of the International Association of Correctional and Forensic Psychology, on the International Correctional Services Accreditation Panel, and other relevant organisations, Dr. Porporino has influenced correctional policies globally, his ideas and strategies having
helped improve correctional services in around the world.
Dr. Porporino Frank has been on the Editorial Boards of the Prison Journal and the Journal of Substance Use and Misuse and he was the founding editor of “Forum on Corrections Research”, a Canadian quarterly journal dedicated to promoting an effective, accountable and knowledge-based corrections. He has authored numerous monographs, book chapters, and journal articles on the assessment and treatment of offenders. Dr. Porporino has developed a dozen well respected cognitive-behavioural and motivational programmes for both juvenile and adult offenders and co-authored the book Coping, Behavior, and Adaptation in Prison Inmates.
He has been awarded the American Correctional Association Lejins Research Award in 1998, the International Community Corrections Presidents Award in 2003, and in 2011 the Volunteers of America Maude Booth Award, for his career contributions to research and programme development in the field of corrections.
At the IPS event, Dr. Frank Porporino’s extraordinary contributions were celebrated as he was presented an honorary award for his career, recognising “A lifetime dedicated to research and an unwavering commitment to advancing correctional services.” Pedro das Neves, CEO of IPS, presenting the award, went on stating: “You have promoted evidence based policies and practices while ensuring the humane treatment of incarcerated
individuals. Your dedication inspires us all and transforms those around you.”
Dr. Frank Porporino expressed his gratitude for the recognition, and after having spent several days with the IPS team, he shared his enthusiasm for the next generation of advisory and research professionals dedicated to advancing correctional services:
“When I see the level of enthusiasm amongst the next generation, I become optimistic about our world and about the services we deliver to the most vulnerable people in our society, the ones that are dismissed by society.”
IPS is proud to celebrate Dr. Porporino’s dedication to driving progress in correctional services, and looking forward to continuing the journey with such esteemed partners and colleagues.
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