Citation

Reidy TJ, Sorensen JR. J. Forensic Psychol. Res. Pract. 2017; 17(2): 99-116.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15228932.2017.1278148

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Homicide in prison is rare, and undermines institutional security. Only three studies have addressed characteristics of perpetrators or victims, their motives, and circumstances of the crime. This study expanded the literature by exploring features of the homicide, and characteristics of 18 perpetrators and 14 victims of homicide during a 30-year period.

FINDINGS revealed the prison killer is an older, gang-affiliated inmate or career criminal serving a lengthy sentence for a previous murder and other violent crimes. Homicide victims, despite older age, could generally not be characterized as weak or vulnerable. Implications for theory, prison management, and future research are explored.

Language: en

Keywords

Future dangerousness; inmate victimization; prison homicide; prison violence