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Pathology and Disruptiveness Among Prison Inmates

NCJ Number
101494
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1986) Pages: 7-21
Author(s)
H Toch; K Adams
Date Published
1986
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article explores the relationship between mental health problems of prison inmates and the inmates' involvement in custodial violations.
Abstract
We find that mentally ill inmates have a higher rate of disciplinary infractions than other inmates, controlling for differences in social and criminal history. There are also indications that the rate of disciplinary infractions varies with the nature, severity, and chronicity of inmate mental health problems. We discuss these findings from a perspective that views disturbed and disruptive behavior as related manifestations of an impaired ability to cope with social situations. (Author abstract)