NCJ Number
196857
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 29 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2002 Pages: 497-511
Editor(s)
Kirk Heilbrun
Date Published
October 2002
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined prospectively the relationship between the Antisocial Features (ANT) scale of the Personality Assessment Inventory and the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) measures of psychopathy and institutional infractions among sex offenders.
Abstract
Research that has examined the relationship between psychopathy and institutional misconduct has been criticized based on the grounds that the criterion of interest had not been adequately defined. This study addressed these criticisms by disaggregating institutional misbehavior in PA (e.g., assaulting an officer), VA (e.g., threatening to inflict harm on an officer, refusing to work), and NA (e.g., possession of contraband) disciplinary infractions. In addition, this study eliminated the concern that previous studies predicting misconduct have been retrospective in nature by using criterion measures that were independent of the predictors. The study compared the utility of two measures of psychopathic traits, the Antisocial Features (ANT) scale of the Personality Assessment Inventory and the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) in predicting serious institutional misconduct among incarcerated sex offenders. Study participants consisted of 58 men who had been incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) as a result of being convicted of one or more sexual offenses. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) was administered to these inmates as part of a larger scale project conducted by TDCJ identifying potentially high-risk sex offenders. The focus of this study was on major offenses because they represent more serious infractions and serve as a more meaningful outcome variable. The results were informative in relation to the emerging body of literature on the use of Antisocial Features (ANT) scale in correctional settings. Results provided evidence that ANT might provide useful information beyond the PCL-R regarding the likelihood of serious disciplinary infractions. The current study represents a useful step in the search for effective and efficient means of informing risk, classification, and management systems. Evidence suggests the possible utility of a brief self-report measure for screening inmates at risk for serious institutional misconduct. Tables and references