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Staff profile

Overview

Professor Graham Towl

Professor

BA, MSc, MBA, DSc, C.Psychol, FBPsS, FAcSS, PFHEA.

Affiliations
AffiliationRoom numberTelephone
Professor in the Department of PsychologyRH014 
Fellow of the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing  

Biography

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.

Research interests

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

Media Contacts

Available for media contact about:

  • Aggression:
  • Gender differences:
  • Criminology:
  • General Activities & Policy:

Publications

Authored book

  • Humphries, C.J. & Towl, G.J. (Published). Addressing student sexual violence in higher education - a good practice guide.
  • Kuay, Hue San & Towl, Graham (2021). Child to Parent Aggression and Violence: A Guidebook for Parents and Practitioners. Routledge.
  • Towl, Graham & Walker, Tammi (2019). Tackling Sexual Violence at Universities An International Perspective. Routledge.
  • Towl, G.J. & Crighton, D.A. (2017). Suicide in Prisons: Prisoners' Lives Matter. Waterside Press.
  • Walker, Tammi & Towl, Graham (2016). Preventing Self-injury and Suicide in Women’s Prisons. Waterside Press.
  • Towl, Graham, Farrington, David P, Crighton, David & Hughes, Gareth (2013). Dictionary of forensic psychology. Routledge.
  • Towl, Graham J & Crighton, David A (2009). Psychology in prisons. John Wiley \& Sons.
  • Crighton, David A & Towl, Graham J (2008). Psychology in prisons. Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Towl, Graham J (2008). Psychological research in prisons. John Wiley \& Sons.
  • Needs, Adrian & Towl, Graham J (2008). Applying psychology to forensic practice. John Wiley \& Sons.
  • Crighton, David A & Towl, Graham J (2008). Psychology in probation services. John Wiley \& Sons.
  • Towl, Graham J & Crighton, David A (2002). Cognitive-behavioural Approaches to Offending. Routledge.
  • Farrington, David, Hancock, Gareth, Livingston, Mark, Painter, Kate & Towl, Graham (2000). Evaluation of intensive regimes for young offenders. Great Britain, Home Office, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.
  • Towl, Graham J, McHugh, Martin, Jones, Dilys & Executive, NHS (1999). Suicide in prisons: research, policy and practice. Pavilion Publishing.
  • Towl, Graham J & McDougall, Cynthia (1999). What Do Forensic Psychologists Do?: Current and Future Directions in the Prison and Probation Services. British Psychological Society. Division of Forensic Psychology.
  • Towl, Graham J & Snow, Louisa (1998). Suicide and self injury in prisons. Stationery Office.
  • Towl, Graham J (1997). Suicide and Self-injury in Prisons: Research Directions in the 1990s. British Psychological Society.
  • Towl, Graham J & Crighton, David A (1996). The handbook of psychology for forensic practitioners. Psychology Press.
  • Towl, Graham J (1995). Groupwork in prisons. British Psychological Society.
  • Towl, Graham J, Snow, Louisa & McHugh, Martin (1991). Suicide in prisons. Wiley-Blackwell.

Chapter in book

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

Doctoral Thesis

  • Towl, Graham (2006). A sustained and significant contribution to the development of forensic psychological knowledge, policy and practice in the UK. Durham University. PhD.

Edited book

  • Crighton, David & Towl, Graham (2021). Forensic Psychology. Wiley.
  • Crighton, David A & Towl, Graham J (2015). Forensic Psychology. BPS textbooks in psychology. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Towl, Graham J. & Crighton, David A. (2010). Forensic Psychology. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

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: 66.
  • 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: 104025.
  • Franklin-Corben, Peta & Towl, Graham (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): 216.
  • Kuay, H.S., Boothroyd, L.G., Towl, G.J., Tiffin, P.A. & Munoz, L.C. (2022). Callous-Unemotional Traits are Associated With Child-to-Parent Aggression. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 66(15): 1603-1626.
  • Thomson, Nicholas D., Kuay, Hue San, Baron-Cohen, Simon & Towl, Graham J. (2018). The impact of maternal incarceration on their daughter's empathy. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry 56: 10-16.
  • Kuay, Hue San, Tiffin, Paul A., Boothroyd, Lynda G., Towl, Graham J. & Centifanti, Luna C. M. (2017). A New Trait-Based Model of Child-to-Parent Aggression. Adolescent Research Review 2(3): 199-211.
  • Towl, Graham (2017). Tackling Sexual Violence at Universities. The Psychologist
  • Towl, Graham & Crighton, David (2016). The emperor's new clothes? Psychologist 29(3): 188-191.
  • Thomson, N.D., Towl, G. & Centifanti, L.C. (2016). The habitual female offender inside: How psychopathic traits predict chronic prison violence. Law and Human Behavior 40(3): 257-269.
  • Towl, GJ (2015). Psychological Perspectives on Risk and Resilience. Tipping Points: Modelling Social Problems and Health 183-195.
  • Towl, Graham (2013). Student mental health: a cause for concern? Evidence Based Mental Health 16(2): 29-29.
  • Towl, Graham & Crighton, David (2013). The politics of mental health. Evidence Based Mental Health 16(3): 59-59.
  • Towl, Graham (2013). Student mental health; below the radar? Evidence Based Mental Health 16(1): 1-1.
  • Towl, Graham (2013). An Introduction to Criminal Psychology by R. Durrant. Abingdon: Routledge (2012) 390pp.\pounds 25.99 pb ISBN 978-1-843-92377-0. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice 52(5): 551-552.
  • Towl, Graham (2012). Mental healthcare in prisons. Evidence Based Mental Health 15(3): 53-53.
  • Towl, Graham & Crighton, David (2012). Policing and mental health. Evidence Based Mental Health 15(4): 85-85.
  • Towl, Graham (2011). Forensic psychotherapy and counselling in prisons. European Journal of Psychotherapy \& Counselling 13(4): 403-407.
  • Towl, Graham J (2011). Ethics of evidence. Evidence Based Mental Health 14(3): 62-62.
  • Shaw, Jenny, Humber, Naomi, Towl, G & Crighton, D (2010). Suicide and self-injury in offenders. Forensic psychology 384-397.
  • Towl, Graham J (2010). Ethical issues in forensic psychological policy and practice. Forensic Psychology. Chichester, UK: BPS Blackwell 62-69.
  • Towl, GJ (2010). Psychology in the National Offender Management Service for England and Wales. Forensic psychology
  • Towl, Graham (2010). 3.10 Suicide in prisons. The Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology 416.
  • Crighton, David A & Towl, Graham J (2009). Psychology in prisons, (vol 5, pg 226, 2008). Journal of investigative psychology and offender profiling 6(1): 89-89.
  • Towl, Graham & Crighton, David (2008). Psychologists in prisons. Understanding prison staff 316-329.
  • Towl, Graham & Crighton, David (2008). Applied psychological services in the National Probation Service for England and Wales. Psychology in Probation Services 1-13.
  • Bichard, Michael & Towl, Graham (2007). Interview with Sir Michael Bichard KCB. International Journal of Leadership in Public Services 3(3): 59-61.
  • Crighton, David & Towl, Graham (2007). Experimental interventions with sex offenders: A brief review of their efficacy. Evidence Based Mental Health 10(2): 35-37.
  • Adair, John & Towl, Graham (2006). Interview with John Adair. International Journal of Leadership in Public Services 2(1): 31-34.
  • Towl, G (2005). Risk assessment. Evidence Based Mental Health 8(4): 91-93.
  • Bates, Andrew, Crighton, D & Towl, G (2005). Assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. Psychology in Probation Services
  • Towl, Graham (2005). Restoring Responsibility, Ethics in Government, Business and Healthcare. International Journal of Leadership in Public Services 1(1): 58-59.
  • Towl, Graham & Crighton, David (2005). Distributed leadership for distributed services: Offender management and public protection. International Journal of Leadership in Public Services 1(1): 49-55.
  • Towl, Graham (2005). Psychological services in prisons. The British Journal of Forensic Practice 7(2): 29-34.
  • Towl, GJ (2005). National offender management services: Implications for applied psychological services in probation and prisons. Forensic Update 81: 22-26.
  • Towl, Graham (2004). Leadership of applied psychological services in prisons and probation. The British Journal of Forensic Practice 6(3): 25-29.
  • Towl, GJ (2004). Applied psychological services in HM Prison Service and the national Probation Service. Applying Psychology to Forensic Practice. Oxford: Blackwell
  • Towl, Graham (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, Graham (2003). Suicide in prisons. The British Journal of Forensic Practice 5(3): 28-32.
  • Towl, Graham (2003). Psychological services in HM Prison Service. Psychology in Prisons 1-9.
  • Towl, Graham & Forbes, D (2002). Working with suicidal prisoners. Suicide in prisons 93-101.
  • TOWL, GRAHAM (2002). The ins and outs. Psychologist 15(5): 236.
  • Crighton, David & Towl, G (2002). International self-injury (ISI). Suicide in prisons 48-65.
  • Towl, Graham (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, Graham (2001). The Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry 12(2): 480-481.
  • Towl, Graham (2000). Reflections upon suicide in prisons. The British Journal of Forensic Practice 2(1): 17-22.
  • Crighton, D & Towl, G (2000). Intentional self-injury. Suicide in Prisons. Oxford: Blackwell
  • Towl, G (2000). Forensic psychology in prisons and probation. PRISON SERVICE JOURNAL 32-33.
  • Towl, Graham (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, Graham J & Crighton, David A (1999). The Handbook of Psychology for Forensic Practitioners. British Journal of Forensic Practice 1(2).
  • Towl, G & McDougall, C (1999). Introduction: What do forensic psychologists do? ISSUES IN FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY 7-9.
  • Towl, Graham (1999). What do Forensic Psychologists in Prisons do? The British Journal of Forensic Practice 1(3): 9-11.
  • Towl, Graham J & Crighton, David 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.
  • McHugh, Martin & Towl, Graham (1997). Organizational reactions and reflections on suicide and self-injury. Issues in Criminological and Legal Psychology 28: 5-11.
  • Towl, G & Hudson, D (1997). Risk assessment and management of the suicidal. Issues in Criminological and Legal Psychology 28: 60-64.
  • Needs, A & Towl, G (1997). Reflections on clinical risk assessments with lifers. Prison Service Journal 14-17.
  • J. TOWL, GRAHAM & Crighton, David A (1997). Risk assessment with offenders. International Review of Psychiatry 9(2-3): 187-194.
  • Horn, R & Towl, G (1997). Anger management for women prisoners. Issues in Criminological and legal Psychology 29: 57-62.
  • Crighton, David & Towl, Graham (1997). Self-inflicted deaths in prison in England and Wales: An analysis of the data for 1988-90 and 1994-95. Issues in Criminological \& Legal Psychology
  • Crighton, DA & Towl, GJ (1997). Self-inflicted deaths in England and Wales 1988-1990, and 1994-95. Suicide and Self-Injury in Prisons, Issues in Criminological \& Legal Psychology 28.
  • Towl, G (1997). Emotional rescue: the value and limitations of anger management in our prisons. SCIENCE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS-LONDON- 61-63.
  • Towl, G (1996). Homicide and suicide: assessing risk in prisons. Psychologist 9(9): 398-400.
  • Crighton, D & Towl, G (1995). Evaluation issues in groupwork. ISSUES IN CRIMINOLOGICAL AND LEGAL PSYCHOLOGY 23: 9-9.
  • Towl, G (1995). Groupwork in Prisons-A National Survey. Prison Service Journal 5-5.
  • Dexter, Polly & Towl, Graham (1995). An investigation into suicidal behaviours in prison. Issues in Criminological \& Legal Psychology
  • Towl, Graham (1995). Anger management groupwork. ISSUES IN CRIMINOLOGICAL AND LEGAL PSYCHOLOGY 23: 31-31.
  • Towl, GJ & Crighton, D (1995). Risk assessment in prisons: A psychological critique. Forensic Update 40: 6-14.
  • Towl, GJ (1994). Ethical issues in forensic psychology. Forensic Update 39: 23-26.
  • Towl, Graham J & Dexter, Polly (1994). Anger management groupwork with prisoners: An empirical evaluation. GROUPWORK-LONDON- 7: 256-269.
  • Towl, GJ (1994). Anger control groupwork in prisons. Perspectives on Violence. London: Howard League Handbooks, Quartet Books Ltd
  • Towl, Graham (1993). Anger control groupwork in practice. Issues in Criminological \& Legal Psychology
  • 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. CRIMINOLOGIST-CHICHESTER- 16: 19-19.
  • Morrissey, C & Towl, G (1991). Psychologists Assessment and Treatment of Lifers: Recommendations for futured developments.
  • McHngh, Martin, Towl, Graham & Snow, Louisa (1991). Reception and induction. Suicide in Prisons 156.

Other (Print)

  • Towl, Graham (2011). Protecting the Public? Detention and release of mentally disordered offenders.
  • Towl, Graham (2008). Shouldn't psychologists do more to tackle the reoffending crisis? Response. PSYCHOLOGIST 21(5): 446-447.

Report

Supervision students

Miss Wenjing Zheng

Research Postgraduate