NCJ Number
189026
Journal
American Jails Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: November/December 2000 Pages: 41-47
Date Published
2000
Length
7 pages
Annotation
As an alternative to segregation for violent inmates, there are methods to identify this high-risk group; to allow custodial, psychological, and medical staff to target interventions more effectively than they do currently; and to introduce treatments that have been proven to be more appropriate for psychopathic individuals than traditional correctional approaches.
Abstract
The particular subgroup of offenders that pose the greatest problems within both correctional facilities and the community are those with psychopathy. This article reviews the personality and behavioral profile of violent psychopaths and the underlying causes of their violent behavior. Much of the behavior of psychopaths lies within the frontal lobes of the brain, these control what are called executive cognitive functions (ECFs); these include forethought, decision making, assessment of consequences, impulse control, and conditioned responses. ECF abilities can be improved in response to appropriate and well-targeted treatments. This article provides guidelines for the identification of violent psychopaths and treatment approaches for this population that have shown promise. A demonstration study should be conducted to determine the incidence of ECF deficits in violent psychopaths within prisons and jails, followed by an evaluation of a treatment approach designed specifically for this population. 33 references