NCJ Number
161866
Date Published
1996
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This document summarizes presentations given at the National Institute of Corrections Symposium on Violent Offenders, held in Longmont, Colorado, in 1995 to share information on projects and programs that have proven effective in dealing with violent offenders.
Abstract
The symposium offered participants an opportunity to gain an interdisciplinary perspective on violent offenders. Symposium participants represented various disciplines and agency types. The symposium was organized around such topics as trends in violence, medical/treatment aspects of violence prevention, and victims and witnesses. Symposium participants summarized research on causes and treatment of violence, described agency and professional association initiatives addressing violent offenders, and highlighted victim perspectives. In addition, symposium participants pointed to significant research findings and projects with potential relevance for corrections policy development. They noted that the delivery of appropriate treatment services works with violent offenders, that understanding the brain is critical to understanding violent behavior, that victim concerns are increasingly being recognized and services are being provided to empower violent crime victims, that Federal agencies have sponsored violence prevention projects, and that violent behavior is often associated with substance abuse. Symposium presentations contain background information on the agency or association represented, a description of current projects or recent research findings, a discussion of future plans to deal with violent offenders, and recommendations for possible collaboration with other groups.