NCJ Number
155598
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1995 Pages: 15-18
Date Published
May 1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article summarizes a recent Correctional Service of Canada file review study that provides strong empirical support for the argument that offenders tend to be violent toward family members.
Abstract
Researchers recorded all evidence, including criminal charges and unofficial reports, of violence against family members contained in the offender files studied. Evidence as to childhood victimization of the offenders was also collected. The study sample was composed of men admitted to correctional facilities between June and November of 1992. A total of 935 files were randomly sampled and examined by file reviewers. Offender files show that at least one-third of the Federal admission population has been involved in some form of violence against family members. Further, there is ample evidence that this figure underestimates the actual family violence rate for this population. Clearly, Federal offenders are at high risk of victimizing members of their families. Such risk must be taken into account in the supervision of offenders on conditional release in the community and in the management of institutional visits with family members. Approximately half of the offender files (50.2 percent) suggested that the offender had been abused by one or more family members as a child. This includes instances of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse; neglect; and witnessing the abuse of other family members. This study provides support for a continued focus on family violence programming for Federal offenders. 2 tables, 2 figures, and 7 footnotes