Robert Prentky

Dr. Robert Prentky is a seasoned forensic psychologist with over 35 years of experience, having assessed or supervised the assessment of more than 2,000 offenders across 30-40 prisons nationwide. He has dedicated the past 38 years to researching sexual offenders, supported by 20 state and federal research grants. Dr. Prentky is a Professor of Forensic Psychology at the School of Psychology and Counseling, where he teaches courses such as Psychology of Criminal Behavior, Forensic Assessment, and Psycholegal Analysis of Criminal Cases. His research focuses on risk assessment with juvenile offenders, long-term follow-up of children with sexual misconduct, campus sexual assault, and pornography use among offenders and college students. Dr. Prentky's academic journey includes a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of York in England, and the University of Rochester Medical School. He is passionate about mentoring graduate students, guiding them through the complexities of the criminal justice system and the challenges of forensic assessment. Dr. Prentky often draws parallels between the work of psychologists and criminal investigators, inspired by the tales of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes. His most fulfilling teaching moments come from helping students navigate the delicate balance between clinical understanding and legal realities, as well as addressing the frequent misuse of science in the courtroom. Dr. Prentky's extensive experience and dedication to his students and research have made him a respected figure in the field of forensic psychology.