Forensic (Criminal Justice) Social Work

What is Forensic Social Work?

Forensic social work, or criminal justice social work, applies the social work framework to issues related to the legal system (1). Forensic social workers hold extensive knowledge of how the justice system operates to better serve their clients or engage in system-level change. They may work with people currently incarcerated or that have had some other form of contact with the justice system, criminal or civil. Social workers are responsible for identifying resources and community support for either the person involved in the justice system or for the people impacted by the actions of justice-involved individuals.

Some forensic social workers work within the justice system, including the department of corrections, law enforcement agencies, district attorney offices, prisons, jails, and youth detention centers. They may hold positions such as diversion program managers, probation and parole officers, Guardian Ad Litems, therapists, mitigation or arbitration specialists, conflict mediators, victim advocates, and much more. Additionally, a greater amount of public defender offices are hiring social workers to address the needs of their clients while also providing a fuller psychosocial assessment to aid in a client’s defense. 

Other forensic social workers work within non-profit organizations or other non-justice-related government agencies that engage in justice reform or run programs designed for justice-involved people. This could include case managers, therapists, re-entry program managers, youth workers, policy analysts, administrative staff, etc. It is important to note that forensic social workers may also work with young people in the youth justice system, which has similarities to the criminal justice system but was created as a separate entity in acknowledgement of the developmental differences between children and adults.

Abolitionist Social Work

In the past 20 years, there has been a growing movement calling for the abolition of prisons, policing, and other carceral institutions and for the development of more restorative and transformative methods to address community harm. Three years ago, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) held a virtual town hall discussing the intersection between social work and abolitionists. Many social workers have joined this movement, leading to a theoretical framework within social work termed “abolistionist social work.” Abolitionist social workers frequently work with justice-involved populations. They are strong advocates for alternatives to incarceration, restorative justice practices, and social protections that help prevent crime. They are also highly critical of the ways racism, classism, and transphobia manifest within the current justice system. Their movement for change involves centering the voices of those most impacted by the justice system. A forensic social worker may also hold an abolitionist perspective.

A Day in the Life of a Criminal Justice Social Worker

Many forensic social workers are engaged in direct service, meaning their work is focused on individuals or groups. Most criminal behavior stems from unmet social, emotional, financial, psychiatric, or developmental needs. You will likely conduct psychosocial assessments or something similar to identify the underlying issues that brought a client to your office. A criminal justice social worker often works with their clients to resolve those issues through case management, which may involve home visits, individual meetings, finding appropriate resources, building a support system, and advocating for the client within the various systems they navigate.

The forensic social worker’s daily tasks vary depending on where they work, whether that is within the justice system or outside of it. If you work in a court diversion program, for example, you would likely participate on an interdisciplinary team that includes judges, attorneys, court advocates, probation and parole officers, and other helping professionals. If you work in a correctional facility, you might run psycho-educational groups that help incarcerated individuals prepare for life after release. It is also possible you might find yourself serving as an expert witness in court or standing before a judge to advocate on your client’s behalf. And if you are providing case management within a non-profit organization, your day may include driving around the community to meet with clients in their homes, schools, or other community sites.

Forensic social workers can also operate at the mezzo- and macro-levels by being involved in advocacy or policy development. Their professional perspective includes an acknowledgement of systemic oppression and its impact on individuals and communities. Therefore, they may offer insights on policy or practice change needed within the justice system to enact greater equity. For example, they might work with state legislatures to reduce the racial and ethnic disparities existing within their state’s justice systems by helping to develop policies around alternatives to incarceration. One of the most rewarding parts of forensic social work is being a champion for members of society who are often forgotten, dismissed, or ostrasized.

How Do I Know If Criminal Justice Is Right For Me?

Chances are if you are interested in the field of social work, you have a desire to work with vulnerable populations. In forensic social work, you will be working with a highly vulnerable population, a large percentage of which has experienced trauma, both personal and systemic. If you are additionally interested in addressing the inequities and injustices within the current legal system and envisioning a new, restorative model, this field may be a good fit for you.

Do you enjoy direct service?

As mentioned earlier, many forensic social workers are engaged in direct service. This may include case management, crisis intervention, therapy, skill-building, connecting people to community resources, or accompanying individuals to school or court to help advocate for their needs. If you enjoy working in a collaborative manner to help individuals with a myriad of barriers reach their goals, forensic social work could be an excellent choice.

Do you enjoy advocacy?

For more than a decade, the criminal and youth justice systems have received more media attention for their long-standing critiques of entrenched systemic racism and the use of harsh punishment to address behavior. Forensic social workers, even those mainly involved in direct service, often find themselves advocating for system change based on what they see in their daily work. If you are passionate about social justice, particularly as it pertains to the justice system and racial equity, you might find yourself drawn to forensic social work.

Can you help people whose actions disturb you?

The majority of people in the criminal or youth justice system are there for non-violent offenses (3). However, some of the clients walking into your office may have committed violent offenses that could be difficult for you to hear. You would need to take a strengths-based approach and advocate for what is in your client’s best interest, putting aside any biases you may have because of the client’s actions. Forensic social workers often utilize the critical social work skill of learning to embrace shades of gray. They also find empathy for all people, looking at individuals holistically and not solely at the actions they took that brought them into contact with the legal system.

How well do you handle ethical dilemmas?

MSWs who work in the criminal justice field frequently encounter ethical dilemmas. For example, social workers in this field have to balance confidentiality with their responsibilities as a mandated reporter, which means they need to report if a client talks about potential harm to themselves or others. The ethical dilemmas surrounding confidentiality can be even trickier when working with youth. Additionally, forensic social workers may provide services that are mandatory for the client. This can cause conflict between the empowerment principles of social work and the legal mandates imposed by the justice system.

FAQs for Aspiring Forensic Social Workers

What Are The Requirements?

A Master’s Degree in Social Work is sometimes required to practice in this field, though in some cases a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) will qualify. Forensic social workers can also find themselves in positions requiring no social work degree at all but they still bring their unique professional perspective to the work. For example, probation officers can have a wide variety of professional backgrounds. However, those with social work degrees bring a unique framework that can alter the way in which they interact with their clients and provide services. 

Currently, there is no specific licensure for criminal justice social workers. Some forensic social workers, however, overlap with treating mental health and substance abuse and as such, may be Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) in addition to Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialists (LCAS) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC).

How Much Do Criminal Justice Social Workers Make?

According to Salary.com, as of February 01, 2025, the average salary for a forensic social worker is $67,329. Wages can generally range from $55,251 to $80,679 (2). Your specific salary can depend on whether you work for a government agency or non-profit organization and the type of work that you do. For instance, if you hold a leadership position within the county government, you will most likely make significantly more than if you have a direct service position in a local community center.

Are Forensic Social Workers in High Demand?

In 2024, there were approximately 5.7 million people incarcerated, on probation, or on parole (4,5). While this number is significantly less than a decade prior and the number of people involved in the criminal justice system continues to decline, the United States still incarcerates a little less than 25% of the world’s incarcerated population (6). Much of this has to do with the systemic issues discussed earlier. Because of the sheer volume of justice-involved people and the need for wide-sweeping systemic change, the demand for forensic social workers continues to be high.

What Master of Social Work Programs Offer Concentrations or Specializations in Forensic Social Work?

There are various MSW programs, all accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), that have focuses in forensic social work, including Long Island University (NY), Depaul University (IL), Aurora University (IL), Seton Hall University (NJ), Alabama State University (AL), and the University of Utah (UT). The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN) and the University of Maryland (MD) offer forensic social work certificate programs, and the University of Southern California’s MSW program offers a unique Youth Justice certificate. Additionally, Northern Kentucky University provides a micro-credential for forensic social work. 

There are also schools that offer either a certificate in abolitionist social work or have faculty that focus on the topic from whom you can learn. Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI, provides a four-week course online where you can obtain an Abolition Social Work Certificate (this school is currently in candidacy with CSWE, meaning it is not yet accredited). Three other universities have faculty members whose research interests include abolitionist social work. These schools include the University of Houston, Seattle University, and the University of Denver, all of which are accredited by the CSWE. 

1. https://www.nofsw.org/what-is-forensic-social-work-1 
2. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/posting/forensic-social-worker-salary 
3. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2024.html
4. https://www.vera.org/search?query=community+supervision
5. https://bjs.ojp.gov/document/ppus22.pdf?utm_source=
6. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/incarceration-rates-by-country?utm_source=