American Psychological Association in Criminal Justice American

¶ … American Psychological Association in Criminal Justice

American Psychological Association

The American Psychological Association, or APA, according to its own website, is a scientific and professional organization for the field of psychology in the United States with over 154,000 members, and it is the largest alliance of psychologists in the world (APA (a), 2011). The APA is a governing organization as well as a hub for connecting psychologists and psychological professionals to one another and to a wealth of resources (APA (a), 2011). It governs in the sense that it exists, in part, to ensure that professional psychologists are well qualified and effective to the highest degree in their practice, with the highest standards of integrity, ethics, training, and experience (APA (a), 2011). Perhaps most significantly, the APA holds responsibility for establishing and upholding these high standards within its membership body through the "Ethics Code" (APA, 2010).

As an organization is it about 50 years old, based in Washington D.C. And currently is the largest alliance of psychologists in the world (APA (a), 2011). APA ((a)2011) serves as an entity for mediation, and a liaison, between the professional practice of psychology (whether research, teaching, or clinical) and Congress, state legislatures, legal counsels, the general public, the media, and any other necessary interactions. Its members can choose to participate in any one (or more) of its 54 different professional divisions, which operate under a complex, democratic structure of leadership with elected officers and member voting rights.

In Criminal Justice

Division 18 of the APA is dedicated to connecting, supporting, and resourcing psychology professionals who are either working primarily with incarcerated people; conducting research within criminal justice settings; administrators who manage the operations in correctional facilities, detention centers, or rehabilitation centers; or simply those interested in what Division 18 officers call "this challenging and rewarding area" (APA (2), 2011). Division 18 has its own set of bylaws with 7 primary articles listed and described as follows:

1. Article 1: Name and Purpose -- identifying this division explicitly and outlining the principle functions of participation in this division for the enhancement of work and collaboration and the practice of public service in the integration of professional psychology and psychological research/science with criminal justice

2. Article 2: Membership - explains the breakdown of who's who and how membership works in this division

3. Article 3: Officers -- describes the positions of the 2 officers, Chair and Secretary-Treasurer, and the protocol to be followed in the case of emergency

4. Article 4: Nominations and Elections -- describes the protocol and democratic process for determining who takes office

5. Article 5: Meetings -- identifies the formal meetings to take place at the annual convention of the APA

6. Article 6: Committees and Functions -- describes the freedom committee creation/function

7. Article 7: Internal Organization of the Criminal Justice Section -- describes mechanisms for internal structure and functioning and dissolution protocol if necessary