Examines prison personnel's civil liability under federal law for inmate-on-inmate assaults. Discusses the United States Supreme Court's decision in Farmer v. Brennan, 44 cases decided before Farmer, and 27 post-Farmer cases on inmate-against-inmate assault. These cases outline when prison officials might be held liable in post-Farmer litigation.…

A resurgence of interest in the relationship between cerebral lateralization (the functional asymmetry of the cerebral cortex) and aggression has occurred. Most recent studies have found that individuals with abnormal patterns of lateralization are overrepresented among violent individuals. Intervening variables (such as drug and alcohol abuse)…

Brain imaging research allows direct assessment of structural and functional brain abnormalities, and thereby provides an improved methodology for studying neurobiological factors predisposing to violent and aggressive behavior. This paper reviews 20 brain imaging studies using four different types of neuroimaging techniques that were conducted in…

Attempts to integrate findings on correlates of suicide and violent risk in terms of a theory called a two-stage model of countervailing forces, which assumes that the strength of aggressive impulses is modified by amplifiers and attenuators. The vectorial interaction of amplifiers and attenuators creates an unstable equilibrium making prediction…

Shows how a multimodal treatment approach that utilizes a broad range of behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and psychological skills training methods can eliminate assaultive behavior among incarcerated juvenile offenders. The study found that those youths who received the multimodal treatment showed significant or at least considerably better…

The psychopharmacologic treatment of aggression is a critical component of the treatment of psychiatric patients. The diagnostic assessment of aggressive patients is reviewed and relevant literature is presented to help clinicians select appropriate medication. Side-effects, dosages, and methods of administration are highlighted. (JPS)

Examined demographic and situational factors related to killing of women by male intimate partners. Data from 23 men incarcerated for such homicides revealed portrait of offender as while male, aged 20-24, employed full-time prior to imprisonment, coming from stable childhood. Findings suggest that persons who are separated are most frequent…

Persons who have suffered traumatic injury to the brain may subsequently display aggressive behavior. Three main syndromes of aggression following traumatic brain injury are described: (1) episodic dyscontrol; (2) frontal lobe disinhibition; and (3) exacerbation of premorbid antisociality. The neuropsychological substrates of these syndromes are…

A model of the characteristics of sexually aggressive men which emphasizes the convergence of several interrelated factors is described. The model explores the role of sexual and power motives underlying rape and other forms of sexual aggression. Also describes a risk analysis which illustrates the potential relevance of the model to clinical…

Investigated differences in family variables between adult felons on probation from alcoholic homes (n=43) and those from nonalcoholic homes (n=53). Found significant differences in family violence, abuse, delinquency, running away, and addiction, suggesting that probationers from substance abusing families have significantly more family…

Self-esteem has long been a subject of discussion regarding its effects on problem behaviors including crime and recidivism. The current literature suggests that low self-esteem is not related to crime for male offenders and perhaps it is inflated self-esteem that is to blame for violence and crime. The literature on females and crime still…

Domestic violence is an issue that affects different sides of society; numerous studies have shown that it is a problem that is increasing. This study used a discriminant analysis to identify those scales that might be more effective at predicting group membership among batterer types: pathological batterers, sexually violent batterers, generally…

Violence among adolescent boys in impoverished urban areas is a major public health problem. We assessed violence-related attitudes and beliefs and exposures among 29 delinquent, 22 truant and 12 dependent of the state adolescent boys who attended an urban publicly funded extended day program. One purpose of this study was to assess violence…

Examines ways to change prisoners' violent urges. Suggests that consciousness-raising strategies be used to motivate incarcerated men to change, whereas coercion might be used with those clients who are most at risk of committing acts of family violence. Summarizes the characteristics of violent men and incarcerated populations. (RJM)

Presents the thesis that Consciousness-Based education, including the practice of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, can be a highly effective tool for reducing or eliminating violent behavior in schools. Reviews research demonstrating that practice of the technique reduces 23 identified risk factors for crime in four broad…