The violence relapse process – a qualitative analysis of high-risk situations and risk communication in mentally disordered offenders

Abstract

Approximately 45% of mentally disordered offenders relapse into violence. Although much is known about factors related to the risk of future violence, the violence relapse process is still in many aspects an unexplored area. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge of the recidivism process and risk communication of the repeatingly violent mentally disordered offender. A qualitative study using open-ended, semi-structured interviews was conducted with 14 mentally disordered offenders who had relapsed into violent behaviour. Important risk markers, pointed out by the informants, such as separations, drug problems, homelessness, and lack of sleep, were presented in a situational context. All but one of the informants were of the opinion that they directly or indirectly had communicated their violent intent or the experience of an intolerable situation. These results may help practitioners to target interventions and prevent further violence.

Narratives of illness and offending: mentally disordered offenders’ views on their offending

“…; Coffey ; Ferrito et al . ; Haggård‐Grann and Gumpert ). In his research, Coffey () noted that illness served as an ‘excuse’ (Scott and Lyman, 1958) for offenders with mental health problems in enabling them to identify their offence as morally wrong, whilst not taking full responsibility for it.…”

“…; Ferrito et al . ; Haggård‐Grann and Gumpert ). Whilst current papers identify that both illness and environmental factors may be cited by offenders with mental health problems to justify offending, there has been little attention given to the extent to which these explanations inter‐sect.…”

“…Previous research has gone some way to identifying moral justifications given by this group. Illness explanations dominate and are used by offenders to highlight a loss of ability to think and act rationally at the time of the offence (Askola et al 2015;Coffey 2012;Ferrito et al 2012;Hagg ard-Grann and Gumpert 2005). In his research, Coffey (2012) noted that illness served as an 'excuse' (Scott and Lyman, 1958) for offenders with mental health problems in enabling them to identify their offence as morally wrong, whilst not taking full responsibility for it.…”

Exploring the role of communication skills among natives and immigrants on their misconduct behaviour in prisons

“…Violent behaviour can be associated with individuals' characteristics Á in this case, cultural issues do not play a significant role in the evaluation of violence. At other times, the importance of individual issues is more relevant than social and cultural characteristics (Bratt, 2004;Haggård-Grann, & Gumpert, 2005). Without excluding the importance of every individual's psychological characteristics, problems in communication may also be associated with inmates' offending behaviour.…”

“…The offending behaviour is mostly related to the personalities of individuals with violent tendencies (Haggård-Grann & Gumpert, 2005). Age and gender remain strongly correlated with prison misconduct (Berg & DeLisi, 2006;Camp, Gaes, Langan, & Saylor, 2003;Steiner & Wooldredge, 2008).…”