Who is likely to perform psychological evaluations on adult offenders in prisons?

A forensic psychologist specializes in applying psychological principles within legal contexts, particularly when it comes to understanding the behaviors and mental states of individuals involved in the criminal justice system. This role often includes performing psychological evaluations on adult offenders in prisons. These assessments aim to evaluate the psychological functioning, competency to stand trial, risk of reoffending, and other relevant factors that can influence legal outcomes and treatment plans.

A social worker, while trained to provide support and social services, generally does not focus on forensic evaluations. A school counselor mainly addresses the educational and emotional needs of students, which is distinctly different from evaluating offenders. Similarly, a health psychologist concentrates on how psychological factors influence health and illness, which does not align with the specific requirements of assessing adult offenders in a correctional setting. Thus, the forensic psychologist is the most appropriate professional for conducting these evaluations.