At the intersection between Law and Psychology
Alex Forlong has had an impressive academic journey so far. A Forensic Psychology graduate from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, she has recently joined the Te Herenga Waka Centre for Justice Innovation as a research fellow to work on a groundbreaking project—‘Custodial Remand before Trial or Sentence’— which has received substantial funding from the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation and obtained ethical approval to begin research this year.
“My interest in the intersection between psychology and law stems from my father—a police officer—and my desire to understand human behaviour within the context of criminal justice,” she says.
“Through my Master’s thesis and my work experience with the High Impact Innovation Programme, a cross-justice sector group, I’ve been exposed to issues like custodial remand and high incarceration rates, which have fuelled my interest in practical, high-impact research.”
Alex’s Master’s thesis was jointly supervised by Professor Yvette Tinsley from the Faculty of Law and Dr Nichola Tyler, senior lecturer in Forensic Psychology—formerly at Te Herenga Waka and now at Swinburne University in Australia. It also contributed to a broader study, led by Professor Tinsley and Dr Tyler, addressing the well-being impacts of working in criminal law.
The ‘Custodial Remand before Trial or Sentence’ project aims to address the growing remand population in New Zealand by focusing on understanding the underlying mechanisms of custodial remand, which is the time individuals spend in custody while awaiting trial or sentencing as opposed to being on bail in the community.
The project will scrutinize the law and its practical application and explore the lived experiences of those affected by custodial remand—including detainees, their families, and communities. Reasons for custodial remand include safety concerns, previous criminal history, the seriousness of the offense, and court delays prolonging remand periods.
With 44% of the New Zealand prison population currently in custodial remand, the study seeks to unpack these complex factors and propose reforms.
The goal of the project is not only to assist those working in the criminal justice system but also to make the research accessible to the wider community. The findings will be published as an open-source textbook, available for university courses and professional use. Summaries, video vignettes, and other resources will be created to disseminate the research effectively.
Alex and Professor Tinsley will lead the qualitative research and the community engagement for the research, with a mid-2025 target for sharing findings. The project will culminate in a symposium hosted by the Centre for Justice Innovation, where the project team’s recommendations will be workshopped with professionals and others impacted by custodial remand.
The multidisciplinary team includes academics from law, criminology, and psychology, each contributing their expertise to a comprehensive analysis of custodial remand. This approach ensures a holistic understanding of the issue.
For Alex, working with the Te Herenga Waka Centre for Justice Innovation at the Faculty of Law is an opportunity to delve deeper into this issue. “I've really enjoyed the opportunity to be exposed to different methods of research and find new ways to approach problems through the multidisciplinary approach used by the Centre,” she says.
The Te Herenga Waka Centre for Justice Innovation is grateful to the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation for supporting the project and providing the grant, and for allowing the Centre to conduct this research. It is also grateful for the support of the Council of Australian University Librarians for their support of the edited book through the Open Educational Resources Collective.