Adult Inmates Research Articles

Criterion-related validity of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory in a prison sample.

The Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI; S. O. Lilienfeld & B. P. Andrews, 1996), a self-report measure of psychopathic personality features, and R. D. Hare's (1991) Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) were administered to adult youthful offender prison inmates (N = 50). As hypothesized, PPI scores were significantly correlated with scores on the PCL-R, providing evidence of concurrent validity for the PPI. Moreover, unlike existing self-report psychopathy measures, the PPI showed a moderate and positive correlation with PCL-R Factor 1 (i.e., the core personality traits of psychopathy). Discriminant function analysis using the optimal PPI total score value to predict PCL-R classifications of psychopath (n = 10) and nonpsychopath (n = 40) resulted in accurate classification of 86% of the cases (sensitivity =.50, specificity =.95). Results are discussed in terms of the relative merits of these 2 measures of psychopathy and the validation of the PPI for clinical use.

The efficacy of high impact incarceration: A correctional treatment outcome study

The objective of this research was to determine the treatment outcome for a group of adult male city-sentenced inmates and parole violators in a High Impact Incarceration Program (HIIP) “boot camp”. The research design was a quasi-experimental, one-group, pretest/posttest design without a control group (APA, 1982). The setting for the study was the new York City Department of Correction High Impact Incarceration Program (HIIP) on Rikers Island. The participants consisted of thirty-three (33) adult male city-sentenced inmates and parole violators who volunteered to participate in the rigorous boot camp program. The High Impact Incarceration Program (HIIP) was the experimental/independent variable for this study as well as the treatment intervention that was utilized in this research. The outcome measure was the Carlson Psychological Survey (CPS). The research question for this study was: What, if any, change(s) in personality disorder and its comorbid factors (dependent variable) take place in the inmate/subject after a period of high impact incarceration? The intervention (HIIP) lowers the pre to post level means of four (4) of the five (5) variables. Two of the four decreases are significant: Chemical Abuse (CA) and Self-Depreciation (SD), with the latter being highly significant (ANOVA P-Value of 0.0000). The largest of the four decreases is 27%. The fifth variable—Validity—(V) is unaffected by the intervention with pre and post means of 3.394 and 3.409, respectively. The variable Antisocial Tendencies (AT) comes near to significance with a confidence of .0677. Though Disturbance (TD) proved unaffected by the intervention. HIIP appears to be significantly effective in changing certain personality factors and their comorbid factors while the teammates (inmates) are within this intensive, rigorous, and highly structured program. Further research is necessary to determine what effect this personality change has on the rate of recidivism.

Comparison of Early and Late Start Models of Delinquency in Adult Offenders

This study examines the validity of the early and late start models of delinquency in adult offenders. Subjects were 180 adult maximum-security inmates who provided information regarding adult and juvenile criminal history, familial and childhood factors, and medical history. Significant differences were found between early starters, late starters, and nondelinquents for substance abuse, diagnoses of antisocial personality, childhood conduct disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and childhood violence. Differences were also found in family history of criminality and substance abuse as well as childhood physical and sexual abuse. The utility of the early and late start models in identifying clinical issues in adult offenders is discussed.

Molecular investigation into outbreak of HIV in a Scottish prison

Objectives: To support already established epidemiological links between inmates of Glenochil prison positive for HIV infection by using molecular techniques and thus provide evidence of the extent of acquisition during...

Hepatitis B and C in New South Wales prisons: prevalence and risk factors.

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among inmates entering the New South Wales correctional system and to examine risk factors for infection. Cross-sectional survey. Reception Centre at Long Bay Correctional Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, June to December 1994. 408 adult male inmates received at the Reception Centre (28% of the 1450 new inmates eligible for compulsory HIV testing). Presence of HBV core and surface antibody and surface antigen; HCV antibody; risk factors; inmates' knowledge about risk factors. 37% of inmates tested positive for HCV antibody, 31% for HBV core antibody and 3.2% for HBV surface antigen (indicating recent infection or carrier status). Among those who reported a history of injecting illegal drugs, rates rose to 66% for HCV antibody and 43% for HBV core antibody. Prevalence of HBV and HCV antibodies was similar in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal inmates, but HBV antigen carrier rate was significantly higher among Aboriginals (12% versus 2.2%). Knowledge about hepatitis risk factors was poor (only 20% named injecting drug use), although recidivists were significantly better informed than those new to the correctional system. Multivariate analysis identified injecting drug use, past exposure to hepatitis B virus and previous imprisonments as significant predictors for HCV infection, and age over 25 years and HCV antibodies for HBV infection. Results suggest that about a third of adult male prisoners entering the NSW correctional system may have been infected with HBV or HCV. Measures such as education about hepatitis risk factors and HBV vaccination are needed to reduce hepatitis transmission in this population.

Prevalence of Childhood Conduct and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders in Adult Maximum-Security Inmates

The prevalence of childhood conduct disorder (CD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was studied in a sample of 100 adult maximum-security inmates. Inmate criminal and developmental history was obtained using interviews and records, and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) was administered to assess childhood ADHD. It was found that 63% of the sample met DSM-IV criteria for childhood CD, whereas 41% were either treated or assessed for childhood ADHD. Significant comorbidity was found between childhood CD and ADHD, but CD was the only significant predictor of adult criminality. CD and non-CD inmates differed significantly in juvenile and adult criminal behavior, age of first arrest, substance abuse, and violence. The WURS indicated significant validity in identifying childhood ADHD and CD as well as substance abuse and criminality. These findings are discussed in tenrs of methodological difficulties and the adult consequences of childhood disruptive behavior disorders.

HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Programs For Adults in Prisons and Jails and Juveniles in Confinement Facilities—United States, 1994

By the end of 1994, at least 4588 adult inmates of U.S. prisons and jails had died as a result of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and during 1994, at least 5279 adult inmates with AIDS were incarcerated in prisons and jails (1). Periodically conducted national surveys instituted in 1985 (2) and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and CDC have documented the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS and the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among adult inmates and confined juveniles*. In addition, these surveys have enabled an assessment of HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs in prisons and jails for adults and confinement facilities for juveniles. This report presents findings from the eighth survey, conducted in 1994, which indicate the need to increase HIV/AIDS education and prevention services among adult inmates and confined juveniles.

Sexual fantasies of child molesters.

A structured interview was used to collect data concerning the mood preceding and accompanying sexual fantasies, and the way in which the other person in the fantasy was perceived by 21 child molesters, 19 rapists, and 19 non-sexual offenders, all incarcerated in federal prisons. For the child molesters, fantasies about both children and adults were examined. It was found that child molesters did not differ from the other groups in terms of their perceptions of adults in their fantasies, and the adult fantasy was perceived more positively than the child fantasy. Child molesters were more likely to fantasize about children when in a negative emotional state than when in a positive mood, and these fantasies were likely to produce a negative mood state. It is suggested that child molesters may fantasize about a child as an inappropriate way of coping with dysphoric moods, thus enhancing that dysphoria and leading to further inappropriate fantasies. These results suggest that sexual fantasy monitoring should become an important component in the treatment of child molesters. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 1995. Copyright © 1995 by the Canadian Psychological Association) Child Molester Child Abuse Offender Child Sexual Abuse Offender Sexual Assault Offender Rape Offender Sexual vs. Nonsexual Offender Child Molestation vs. Rape Adult Offender Adult Male Adult Violence Adult Inmate Inmate Studies Offender Characteristics Fantasy Juvenile Offender Juvenile Male Juvenile Inmate Juvenile Violence Male Offender Male Inmate Male Violence 02-02

Testosterone, crime, and misbehavior among 692 male prison inmates

Testosterone, crime, and prison behavior were examined among 692 adult male prison inmates. Testosterone was measured from saliva samples, and behavior was coded from prison system records. Inmates who had committed personal crimes of sex and violence had higher testosterone levels than inmates who had committed property crimes of burglary, theft, and drugs. Inmates with higher testosterone levels also violated more rules in prison, especially rules involving overt confrontation. The findings indicate differences between low and high testosterone individuals in the amount and pattern of their misbehavior.

Vengeance, anger and irrational beliefs in inmates: A caveat regarding social desirability

The present study investigated the interrelationships of vengeance, anger and irrational beliefs in an adult male inmate population. Fifty-two male inmates were administered the trait section of the State-Trait Personality Inventory (Spielberger, Jacobs, Crane, Russell, Westbury, Barker, Johnson, Knight & Marks, Preliminary Manual for the State-Trait Personality Inventory, 1979), the Anger Expression Scale (Spielberger, Johnson, Jacobs, Krasner, Oesterle & Worden, The Anger Expression (AX) Scale, 1986) the Belief Scale (Malouff & Schutte, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 54, 860–862 1986) and the Vengeance Scale (Stuckless & Goranson, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 7, 25–42, 1992). The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale Form-C (Reynolds, Journal of Clinical Psychology 38, 119–125 1982) was significantly correlated with each of the measures. The implications of the social desirability contamination were discussed. Significant intercorrelations were found among the measures of vengeance, trait anger, expressed anger, and irrational beliefs, even after controlling for social desirability. Regression analysis demonstrated that both vengeance and anger accounted for unique variance in the inmates' scores on self-reported hypothetical behaviour items.

Inmate crime and victimization in a southwestern correctional facility

Victimization among inmates of a correctional facility poses significant problems for the successful control and treatment of inmates. This article presents results from a study of several possible influences on an adult male inmate's likelihood of committing personal crime, his likelihood of committing property crime, and his likelihood of being victimized by personal crime or property crime in a medium-security correctional facility located in the southwestern United States. Results suggest that the characteristics of offenders and victims differ in several respects. These characteristics are presented along with their implications for policies designed to reduce inmate victimization.

Some Unanticipated Positive Effects of a juvenile Awareness Program on Adult Inmate Counselors

A contemporary juvenile awareness program operated behind bars of a typical state prison by veteran inmates is shown to have very positive social and psychological effects on inmate counselors, even though the program was designed solely to focus on the problems of juvenile offenders. The primary benefit to inmate counselors is increased self-esteem, but residual benefits also include increased social status and prestige in the prison. This research also suggests that the inmate counselors become nurturing in their relationships with their youth clients, and with fellow inmates.

Inmate Self-Report Data: A Study of Reliability

The present study examines the reliability of self-report data inadvertently collected from 11 adult inmates in a study of a house arrest program. Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire that was given twice within a four-month period. Correlations of 92 items, divided into categories of "Information," "Expectations," and "Affections," showed wide variation in reliability. Complete agreement on the two occasions was found for only 24 items, which were primarily in the "Information" category. Correlations across the 92 items were also computed for each subject, and these correlations also showed wide variation in reliability. Although no subject gave exactly the same responses on all 92 items, greater reliability was again found in the "Information" category. In addition, 3 of the subjects gave particularly unreliable responses. These results, together with the lack of existing literature on the topic, suggest a need to conduct more research on reliability of inmates in order to develop more reliable measures as well as to detect unreliable subjects.

Problem solving and suicidality among prison inmates: another look at state versus trait.

This research examines the relationships between means-ends problem solving and suicidality among adult male prison inmates in light of new evidence based on inpatient and college student populations suggesting that state, rather than trait, vulnerabilities may be responsible for problem-solving deficits and differences. Using the Means-Ends Problem-Solving Procedure (MEPS) with 93 state prison inmates, we found that among inmates with a history of parasuicide, current suicidality did not affect problem-solving performance. We further found that among nonsuicidal inmates, parasuicide history had no effect on problem solving or affect-suicidality measures. Although these results support new research suggesting that trait problem-solving deficits are not causally linked to suicidality, they raise questions about the potentially unique relationships among suicidality, problem solving, depression, and hopelessness in incarcerated populations.

Type of Offense and Level of Moral Development Among Adult Male Inmates

The Defining Issues Test (DIT) was administered to three groups of adult male inmates in two categories to compare their levels of moral development. The distribution of DIT scores was found to be similar to those of nonfelonious samples. Implications for the treatment of offender populations are discussed.

Basic Personality Inventory clinical and validity scales: Stability and internal consistency

A sample of 71 incarcerated adult male inmates was used to investigate the stability and internal consistency for the clinical and validity scales of the Basic Personality Inventoiy. One month test-retest stability coefficients for the clinical scales ranged from .53 to .77. KR-20 reliabilities ranged from .61 to .86 on each occasion. With the exception of the longer perseveration scales, stability was also reasonable for the validity scales. Overall, the Basic Personality Inventory clinical and validity scales demonstrated favorable stability and reliability in an inmate population.

The Influence of Substance Use among Adult Female Inmates

Using a 90% sample (1,076) of the women incarcerated in August 1985 in Florida prisons, and a “non-use, casual/recreational use, problem use” typology, the extent of substance abuse was found to be inversely related to age at first arrest as an adult, age at incarceration, and employment at time of arrest. Extent of substance use was directly related to number and percent of prior offenses and incarcerations, broken parental home, and criminality in the family of origin. Even though non-users were more likely to be convicted of homicide, casual/recreational users were the most violent. No evidence was found for an increase in substance use/abuse between 1975 and 1985.

Reactions of Prisoners to Stress as a Function of Personality and Demographic Variables

The present study explored the effects of the demographic variables of age, race (ethnicity), gender, marital status, and education on stress, anger, curiosity, perception of institutional stressors, and reactions to institutional variables manifested by inmates incarcerated in Florida prisons. A total of 783 inmates were selectedfrom eight different institutions housing adult, youthful offender, and female inmates. The sample included some of the least violent and most violent inmates in the system. The measures used consisted of standardized paper and pencil tests designed to assess anxiety, anger, and curiosity. In addition, several nonstandardized measures of institutional stressors and of inmates' reactions to institutional stressors were also employed. The data revealed that inmates enter the institution with a set of personal characteristics that could have substantial impact on their relationships with other inmates and correctional staff. The results were interpreted in terms of both institutional and interpersonalfactors.

Preliminary Study of Effect of Decision Making on Locus of Control among Prison Inmates

To study the effect of teaching decision-making to inmates in a maximum security facility on locus of control 19 adult male inmates who were incarcerated at a community correctional center were pre- and posttested on the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. In this preliminary study there was no statistically significant difference at pretest or posttest so teaching decision-making skills in group settings versus teaching in a group combined and one-to-one contact did not affect locus of control as measured. This personality trait appears stable over time and a more thorough means of intervention is required to effect change.

The Moral Education Approach in Treating Adult Inmates

This study reveals the effects of a three-phase moral education program with adult male inmates over a seven-month period. Individuals making up five groups from a medium- and minimum-security institution were randomly assigned and matched for stage of moral development, age, ethnic group, prior record, and governing offense. The overall mean score of two experimental groups from the minimum-security institution and one experimental group from the medium-security institution were significantly higher than the overall control group mean score for ego development and moral judgment. In addition, there was a significantly positive relationship between ego and moral development.