Adult Male Offenders Research Articles

Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Callous-Unemotional Traits: The Role of Guilt Across Samples of Incarcerated Male Adult Offenders

ABSTRACT The study aimed to: (1) analyze differences between psychopathic and non-psychopathic offenders in terms of difficulties in emotion regulation and callous-unemotional traits, (2) investigate the association between difficulties in emotion regulation and callous-unemotional traits among psychopathic and non-psychopathic offenders, and (3) examine the mediation role of guilt in the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and callous-unemotional traits among non-psychopathic offenders, controlling for the level of desirable responses. The participants were 191 incarcerated male adult offenders serving their sentences in closed and semi-open custody. The incarcerated offenders participated in a semi-structured interview and completed self-report measures of emotion dysregulation, guilt, callous-unemotional traits, and social desirability. According to the results on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, 60 (27.9%) participants were included in the psychopathic group, while 131 (60.9%) were non-psychopathic. The results showed a positive relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation, callousness, and psychopathy. The multiple regression analysis indicated that guilt contributed to the variance of callousness. Guilt was a mediator in the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and callousness among the group of non-psychopathic incarcerated offenders. The current study highlighted the importance of guilt as an adaptive moral emotion useful in the treatment of several psychological problems among male offenders.

PRINT® Survey as an Opportunity-Reduction Supervision Tool: Outcomes for Justice-Involved Individuals on Supervised Release

Using an environmental corrections and opportunity-reduction framework, this study examined whether offender relapse, new crimes and revocation outcomes would improve if supervision officers utilized personality instrument results during individual meetings. Adult male and female offenders on federal supervised release (245 in the treatment group and 271 in the comparison group) were tracked for a minimum of 2 years. Revocation rates for the treatment/PRINT group were significantly lower than the comparison group. Results suggested that opportunity reduction strategies from the PRINT instrument may have contributed to lower revocation rates. However, the techniques learned may not have been strong enough to offset the strong habitual and reactionary pull of relapse, or complications caused by involvement in a new crime.

(200) Demographic, Clinical, and Socioeconomic Variables and Risk Assessment Perpetrators of Sexual Crimes in Poland

Abstract Introduction The study of sexual recidivism has been attracting the attention of the mental health services and criminal justice system, as well as researchers. A significant problem for clinical judicial experts when issuing court opinions is assessing the risk of recidivism. Objective The aim of the study was to assess the demographic, clinical and socioeconomic variables of adult male sex offenders convicted of sexual crimes in Poland, as well as assessing their risk of recidivism. Methods The participants of the study consisted of 30 sexual offenders (66% preferential and 34% non-preferential) serving prison sentences in a dozen Polish prisons. A retrospective file review was completed for 30 medical and medicolegal files. Medical records included documentation such as psychiatric notes, psychological assessments, medicolegal assessments, and medical consultation notes. The analysis took variables including age, sex, marital status, and education. The risk of recidivism was estimated based on the participants’ files, using semi-structured interviews, and calculated using the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) (McGrath, et al., 2013). Results Data analysis was done with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Participants of this study were mostly single (67%) males (100%), with an average age of 43 years (range = 24–63 years). Only 3% had completed higher education. Table 1 for a summary of the study results. Clinically, more than half of the sex offenders had a personality disorder (67%) diagnosis, with 66% of the sample diagnosed with sexual preference disorders. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationships between sexual preference disorders and age (r = 0,36; p < 0,05). The correlation also analysis showed that marital status was positively related to age (r = 0,34; p < 0,05). SOTIPS score was positively correlated with sexual preference disorders (r = 0,30; p < 0,05). A positive correlation, although very weak, was found between the score on the SOTIPS scale and age (r = 0,22; p < 0,05). Conclusions The results of the study showed that, sexual offenders are heterogeneous in terms of age. Most sex offenders (67%) have never been married before. The study also found a high proportion (64%) of sex offenders who reoffend. The larger proportion of sex offenders has sexual preference disorders. Therefore, one can conclude that sex offenders should be subject to preferential offender therapy. Disclosure No.

Recidivism risk in male adult sex offenders with psychopathic traits assessed by PCL-R: A systematic review.

Psychopathy has been empirically associated with various forms of antisocial behavior including sexual assault. In fact, the lack of empathy characterizing psychopathic offenders may facilitate the perpetration of more extreme violence. This systematic review aims to explore the relationship between psychopathy traits in male adult sex offenders and the increase in recidivism risk for any type of reoffence, with a special focus on sexual recidivism. From an initial sample of 757 articles related to the topic, only 14 were selected from the current literature at the end of the inclusion process. Each of these assessed the relation between psychopathy traits (measured by PCL-R) and recidivism risk in male sex offenders (age > 18), providing an effect size (quantitative findings). The results of their analysis agree with the currently available literature: the presence of psychopathic traits in sex offenders would seem to correlate with an increased risk of recidivism of general but non-sexual. Furthermore, almost half of the included works highlighted a positive relationship between psychopathy and violent reoffences. However, the limited availability of studies and the unevenness in their results indicate the need to expand future research in this direction.

Psychometric properties of the Parma Scale for the treatment evaluation of prisoners with mental disorder: a new instrument for routine outcome monitoring in different forensic psychiatric settings

IntroductionThe clinical relevance of Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) to formulate longitudinal evaluations of treatment appropriateness/efficacy and to assist decision making aimed at improving the quality of person-centered interventions has been poorly implemented in forensic psychiatry, also in Italy. Indeed, very few assessment instruments have been developed in this crucial field.ObjectivesAs reliable ROM instruments are lacking, the aim of the current investigation was to examine psychometric properties (i.e. reliability, concurrent validity and sensitivity to measure scores’ longitudinal changes) of the Parma Scale (Pr-Scale) (a new instrument fro the evaluation of offenders with mental disorder) in an Italian sample of forensic psychiatric patients.MethodsParticipants were male adult offenders with mental disorder recruited within the Parma REMS (“Residence for the Execution of Security Measure”) or the Parma Penitentiary Institute (PPI). Exclusion criteria were known moderate/severe intellectual disability or any other medical condition inducing inability to express a valid consent for participating in the research. The Pr-Scale includes 20 items divided into 3 main domains: “Historical”, “Clinical” (observational) and “Treatment Plannining". To test psychometric properties of the Pr-Scale, we examined interrater reliability, short-term (1-week) test-retest reliability and internal consistency. As measure of concurrent validity, a correlation analysis of Pr-Scale item scores with corresponding HKT-R (the “Historisch, Klinische en Toekomstige – Revisie” instrument) item subscores was performed. Finally, we examined the Pr-Scale sensitivity to measure scores’ longitudinal changes over a 3-month treatment follow-up period.Results60 male adult patients were recruited in this study. Our findings showed good to excellent interrater and test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and internal consistency for the Pr-Scale. Pr-Scale scores also display a moderate to large changeability over time (Intra-Class Correlation coefficient = 0.963, coefficient of stability = 0.997, Cronbach’s ɑ = 0.736). Statistically significant correlations of Pr-Scale item scores with the corresponding HKT-R scores were found. Across the 3-month follow-up period, we observed statistically significant sensitivity values in measuring longitudinal changes for the Pr-Scale total score and Pr-Scale domain and item subscores.ConclusionsOur results support the clinical use of the Pr-Scale in different forensic psychiatric settings (i.e. prison, REMS) as reliable ROM instrument.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Examining the association between speed-accuracy trade-offs and psychopathy among male offenders in a facial affect recognition task.

Despite a large body of work examining the relationship between facial affect recognition and psychopathy, there is little consensus regarding the nature of emotion processing in such individuals. Although most previous studies have reported an association between psychopathy and some facial affect recognition deficits, results are mixed regarding which specific emotions are related to deficient recognition for these individuals. The current study aims to examine speed-accuracy trade-offs in psychopathy. Participants were 139 incarcerated adult male offenders assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised. Analyses demonstrated a 3-way interaction between psychopathy, response time, and level of stimulus expression for happiness in which psychopathy mitigated the relationship between response time and level of expression on accuracy. However, the overall pattern of findings does not suggest that speed-accuracy trade-offs are a central component of facial affect recognition in psychopathy. The theoretical implications of current findings are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Retiring in a Prison Cell: The South African Sentenced Older Adult Male Offender

The purpose of this study was to create a profile of the sentenced older adult male offender incarcerated in South African prisons. The findings of this investigation are based on face-to-face surveys with 88 older adult male inmates. In order to develop a comprehensive profile, the study explored offenders’ backgrounds, previous and current offenses, lifestyle patterns, physical and mental health, institutional living conditions, release, reintegration, and mortality in prison. These domains are discussed in detail, and recommendations are offered for the treatment and care of this offender group. The recommendations may be applicable to other developing countries in the Global South.

Assessing the validity of self-report of psychopathy short-form (SRP-SF) in incarcerated offenders from Chile and Uruguay

Psychopathy remains a relatively unexplored concept in Latin America. The abbreviated Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP-SF) seems promising in this under-resourced context. However, the SRP-SF should be tested for measurement invariance to achieve meaningful comparison across countries in Latin America. Therefore the aims of this study were to examine the underlying factor structure of the SRP-SF in incarcerated adult male offenders from Uruguay (n = 331) and Chile (n = 208), to examine the measurement invariance of the SRP-SF across countries, and to assess the utility of SRP-SF to classify first time offenders from offenders with criminal history. Findings showed a good fit for the four-factor model in Uruguay, and both Chile and Uruguay showed invariance. Conversely, the Interpersonal and Affective factors were not associated with criminal history in the Uruguayan sample. Therefore, more studies are needed before using the SRP-SF as screening tool to classify first-time offenders and reoffenders in different countries in Latin America.

Mental health disorders and recidivism among incarcerated adult offenders in a correctional facility in South Africa: A cluster analysis.

The contribution of mental illness, substance use, and appetitive aggression to recidivism has significant policy and practice implications. Offenders with untreated mental illness have a higher recidivism rate and a greater number of criminogenic risk factors than those without mental illness. Previous research has demonstrated that the likelihood of appetitive aggression increases in violent contexts where individuals perpetrate aggressive acts. Using the Ecological Systems Theory, this study investigated the association between mental health disorders and recidivism among incarcerated adult offenders in South Africa, and the intervening role of appetitive aggression and substance use. Using a cross-sectional quantitative research design, a sample of 280 incarcerated male and female adult offenders aged 18-35 with no known psychiatric disorders were sampled at a correctional facility in South Africa. The re-incarceration rate, mental health disorders, substance use, and appetitive aggression symptomology were assessed using the Hopkins symptoms checklist, the CRAFFT measure of substance use, and the appetitive aggression scale. Findings indicate a 32.4% recidivism rate (n = 82). Cluster analysis indicated that the combination of anxiety, depression, substance use, and appetitive aggression increased the likelihood of recidivism. Appetitive aggression median differences between clusters 2 and 3 played a key role in distinguishing recidivism risk among recidivist and non-recidivist participants. Chi-square analysis highlighted group differences in education levels among the established clusters [x2 (3, n = 217) = 12.832, p = .005, which is < .05] as well as group differences in the type of criminal offence [x2 (3, n = 187) = 24.362, p = .000, which is < .05] and cluster membership. Combined factors that increase the likelihood of recidivism provide a typology for classifying offenders based on particular recidivism risk determinants, which offers insights for developing tailored interventions that address a combination of factors.

Saving a life by poem

The present Old Norse case report concerns how a poem saved the life of the famous viking, named Egil Skallagrimsson. By some scholars he has been considered a person with dissocial personality disorder, i.e., psychopathy correlates - although not completely - to antisocial personality disorder, a personality disorder in the cluster B type. A core symptom of dissocial personality disorder is lack of empathy. The craving for appreciation and fulfilment of own needs is moreover a part of the disorder. Furthermore, an incredibly good ability to explain away actions and to project outwards, a low threshold of aggression, and the lack of responsibility are found. All together an alloplastic personality disorder with a tendency to blame the surroundings for the problems [1-3]. For the general population, exact epidemiological data on psychopathy prevalence does not exist. However it is estimated to be 3% in forensic psychiatric samples [4]. For adult male offenders, structural abnormalities in the cingulate have recently been reported to correlate with the gold standard diagnostic criteria (Psychopathy Checklist-Revised) for psychopathy [5]. The eminent power to manipulate others is not rare in these individuals [3]. Can a psychopath, however, captivate another psychopath? Reading the Old Norse Kings Saga, Heimskringla, you may wonder whether this could be a possibility, as described in the oral tradition 1000 years ago, later written down by most likely Snorri Sturluson, considering the meeting between Egil Skallagrimsson and Eric Bloodaxe. Once investigating this stunning Icelandic saga characters, it often falsely leads to the conclusion of a psychopath diagnosis or their suffering from other personality disorders rather than just enjoying the storytelling.

Exploring the relationship between psychopathy and criminal thinking: utilising the Tri-PM within a forensic sample

PurposeThe Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (Tri-PM) was developed in 2010 as an alternative approach to the assessment of psychopathy. The measure aims to capture psychopathic traits on a 3-factor model, which encompass the characteristics established in previous measures, as well as those evidenced within practise. Though support for the tool in academic research is growing, less is known about the scale’s utility within crime forensic settings. Thus, this study aims to explore the relationship between the Tri-PM psychopathy constructs and criminal cognition within a forensic sample.Design/methodology/approachSeventy-three adult male offenders, convicted for acquisitive or sexual crimes, from a Category B prison within the Northwest of England completed questionnaires measuring their criminal backgrounds, psychopathy traits (Tri-PM; Patrick, 2010) and criminal thinking styles (Psychology Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles; Walters, 2001).FindingsThe Tri-PM measurement proved to be a successful predictor of most criminal thinking styles. Moreover, the meanness construct was the strongest predictor of proactive thinking styles, whereas the disinhibition construct was the strongest predictor of reactive thinking styles, and the boldness construct was negatively associated with reactive thinking. Comparisons among offender groups also indicated that acquisitive offenders reported higher scores of psychopathy and criminal thinking.Originality/valueThis study offers valuable insight into the proposed relationship between psychopathy and criminal thinking, using a recent addition to the repertoire of psychopathy measurements, the Tri-PM. This study also offers practical implications for those offering treatment within forensic settings, with significant relationships identified between the highly scoring psychopathy constructs and various criminal thinking styles.

Which sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are associated with higher impulsivity in adult male offenders?

Which sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are associated with higher impulsivity in adult male offenders?

Elucidating the relevance of dissociation and emotion dysregulation for aggression in forensic and community samples

PurposeTo clarify the relevance of emotion dysregulation and dissociation for aggressive tendencies, the present study examined bivariate, unique, mediating, and moderating effects of each on physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. MethodsSelf-report measures of the key constructs were administered to a sample of male adult violent offenders (N = 389) and a sample of male adult community participants (N = 324), and analyzed with correlation and multiple regression analyses. ResultsThe pattern of bivariate correlations was substantially similar for emotion dysregulation and dissociation. Both exerted unique and indirect effects (through one another) on physical aggression, anger, and hostility in both samples, with varying effect sizes. The only significant interaction was reported in the offender sample, with dissociation buffering the emotion dysregulation-hostility link. In multivariate models, verbal aggression was predicted only by dissociation and only in the community sample. ConclusionsEmotion dysregulation and dissociation have unique relevance for understanding, and potentially treating, aggression beyond and through their reciprocal overlap, with the exception of verbal aggression for which the evidence was sample-dependent and less compelling. While both had comparable relevance for physical aggression, emotion dysregulation seemed more relevant for anger, and their relative relevance for hostility varied across samples.

Electronic consultation in correctional facilities worldwide: a scoping review

ObjectiveTo provide an overview of the use of and evidence for eConsult in correctional facilities worldwide.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesThree academic databases (MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL) were searched to identify papers published...

Demographic characteristics of convicted child sexual abusers in South of Sweden, between 2013 and 2018: a pilot study

This study evaluates variables concerning demographic characteristics for all adult male offenders convicted of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) aged 0–17 in Malmö, Sweden between 2013 and 2018. All convictions (n = 18) based on court documents from the District Court, the Court of Appeals and information from the Swedish Tax Agency were reviewed. A total of 30 victims were identified. Frequency analyses show that the most common features were that of a single offender, averaging 25 years old, with a non-Swedish background and a high school degree. The predominately extrafamilial CSA (i.e. committed by an acquaintance to the family) occurred in a private setting and consisted of penetrative acts. Girls averaging 13 years old were abused multiple times, under fear and pressure. Although assumptions based on these results are preliminary, they provide a clearer image of the typical circumstances under which CSA occurred within this time frame and geographical location. This study is a first attempt to construct an overview of demographic characteristics of CSA. As more data are gathered from this region, more sophisticated analyses can be conducted, providing stronger generalizations. Information of this kind may be important for research, classification of offender profiling and in case linking.

Performing well: Male prisoner experiences of drama, dance, singing and puppetry in England

This paper outlines art form impacts used within Staging Time at an adult male sex offender prison in England by drawing on the voices of prisoners (aged 21–75 years), including those with undiagnosed autistic traits. We qualitatively investigate prisoner experiences from drama (n = 11), dance (n = 12), puppetry (n = 7) and singing (n = 15) projects using a theory of change approach. Based on a themed analysis of self-report data from 4 world cafés and 44 follow-up questionnaires, we conclude arts projects positively contribute to health and well-being, forming healthy relationships and prison culture. By applying a desistance theory lens, we argue arts projects provide building blocks towards crime abstinence. Whilst all arts projects improved prisoner well-being, dance had a greater propensity for increasing physical fitness. With a focus on dance impacts, our research widened to stakeholder and practitioner interviews (n = 4), alongside analysis of secondary data from dance performance audience feedback sheets (n = 48) collected by Staging Time. Audience members included prison staff, prisoners, prisoner family members and close friends and a small group of invited stakeholders. Arts projects have wider impacts on staff, other prisoners and family members.

Mediating the age at first conviction–recidivism relationship with reactive criminal thinking

ABSTRACT An early age of onset for criminal behavior has long been considered a major predictor of future offending and recidivism, but there is limited information on the mechanism or mechanisms responsible for this effect. In the current study, it was predicted that reactive criminal thinking (RCT), but not proactive criminal thinking (PCT), would mediate the well-documented connection between an early age of criminal conviction and subsequent recidivism. This hypothesis was tested in a group of 1,435 adult male offenders assessed with the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS) as they matriculated through a medium security federal prison. All participants were eventually released from custody and followed for a period of 1 to 76 months. Consistent with the research hypothesis, RCT, but not PCT, predicted time-to-event recidivism in a standard Cox regression analysis and mediated the relationship between age at time of first criminal conviction and recidivism in a mediational path analysis. These results suggest that early onset criminality has the capacity to predict RCT, and the disruptive effect this has on a person’s ability to exercise control over their behavior increases their odds of reoffending once they are released from prison.

Evaluating the Feasibility of Prison Officers Providing Guided Self-Help Support to Adult Male Offenders Experiencing Stress

ABSTRACT With substantial mental health needs, United Nations guidelines recommend prisoners should have access to healthcare of the same standard as non-prisoners. CBT-based self-help is recommended for anxiety and depression; one approach is Living Life To The Full (LLTTFTM). This study evaluated the feasibility of Prison Officers providing guided self-help support to adult male offenders experiencing distress in a Scottish prison. Prison Officers attended training in delivering LLTTF books and worksheets. Seven prisoners completed four one-to-one sessions of LLTTF. A large effect size was associated with improving depression self-ratings pre- to post-treatment. Pre-treatment anxiety and social function were associated with non-significant change. Feedback from Prison Officers and prisoners indicated LLTTF materials would benefit from adaptation for prison, which could be revised with Prison Officers and prisoners. Results suggest further research on guided self-help in prison is worth pursuing. Designated guided self-help workers may be better placed to deliver LLTTF in this or an educational setting.

L’impulsivité est-elle liée aux risques de récidive sexuelle, violente et générales des auteurs d’infractions à caractère sexuel d’enfants et d’adultes ?

Scales to assess an offender's risk of re-offending are based on risk factors. Impulsivity is often considered as treatment targets to prevent recidivism in sexual offenders. But the link between impulsivity and recidivism is barely detailed or contradictory. This study tries to examine these links in child's molesters and sexual offenders of adults. MethodIn all, 33 incarcerated adult male sexual offenders were having been divided in two groups: 25 sexual offenders of children and 8 sexual offenders of adults. Sexual offenders of children were assessed using the Static-2002, RSVP and UPPS and sexual offenders of adults were assessing using RSVP, HCR-20, LS/CMI and UPPS. Non-parametric correlation analyses (Spearman's Rho) were performed. Results–DiscussionFor child's molesters, Urgency showed positive relationships with sexual risk, referring to the emotional sensitivity of sexual offenders in social situations. Surprisingly, Sensationseeking was negatively related to sexual risk, which could be explained by the seriousness of the offences committed. For sexual offenders of adults, impulsivity sub-domains Lack of premeditation, Urgency and Sensation seeking show strong links with the risk of general recidivism and in particular the factors associated with Education and employment, Leisure and recreational activities and Alcohol and drug problems. A reflection on the evaluation of individual situational factors in interaction with psychological factors of high-risk sexual offenders is developed.

Which sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are associated with repeat incarcerations in adult male offenders? A cross-sectional study

Which sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are associated with repeat incarcerations in adult male offenders? A cross-sectional study