John Rynne

Professor John Rynne is a distinguished academic at Griffith University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, where he has served as Senior Lecturer since 2012 and currently holds the rank of Professor. He is a member of the Griffith Criminology Institute and maintains significant international connections as an associate member of the University of Cambridge's Institute of Criminology Prison Research Centre. With extensive theoretical and applied knowledge of Australian and international criminal justice systems, Professor Rynne brings over 20 years of practical experience to his academic work, including 15 years in management and operational roles within the Queensland criminal justice system prior to his academic career.

Professor Rynne's educational background includes a PhD from Griffith University (2005) on private prisons' impacts on the Australian custodial system, an MPhil in Psychology from University of Southern Queensland (1999), a BSc(Hons) in Psychology from University of Tasmania (1997), and a BAppSc in Psychology from University of Southern Queensland (1995). His academic journey reflects a consistent focus on psychology and criminal justice applications.

His research interests center on forensic psychology with particular emphasis on youth involvement in offending (especially sexual offenses), Indigenous well-being following criminal justice system contact, and prison environments. Over the past decade, his work has increasingly focused on reducing harm in custodial settings for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. His research demonstrates a clear evolution from broader criminal justice system analysis toward specialized focus on vulnerable populations within correctional environments, particularly Indigenous Australians and youth offenders.

Analysis of Professor Rynne's recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a strong thematic concentration on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among youth sexual offenders, Indigenous incarceration issues, and program evaluation for youth forensic services. His work frequently employs mixed methods approaches, combining quantitative analysis of recidivism patterns with qualitative exploration of trauma experiences. The research shows increasing collaboration with Indigenous researchers and organizations, reflecting a commitment to culturally appropriate methodologies in studying Indigenous justice issues.

• Develop a Neurodevelopmental Framework for Practice and Practice Standards for the Queensland Youth Justice System (Department of Youth Justice, 2023-2025)
• Differentiating ACE profiles of male youths who exhibit harmful sexual behaviours (National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, 2023-2025)
• Examining the impact of childhood sexual abuse victimisation on adolescent offending outcomes (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2022-2024)
• Understanding wellbeing and desistance in young people treated for sexual offending (Westpac Banking Corporation, 2021-2024)

Professor Rynne has supervised numerous doctoral students, serving as Principal Supervisor for six completed theses and currently advising two doctoral candidates. His supervision focuses on topics related to youth sexual offending, Indigenous justice, and correctional practices. He previously directed the Griffith Youth Forensic Service until mid-2024, overseeing clinical approaches for young people with harmful sexual behaviors. His research program demonstrates strong alignment between theoretical work, practical application, and policy impact, particularly evident in his contributions to the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory.