International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology recent issues

Carpe Diem Antisocial Behaviors: Street Robbery and Assault

Palermo, G. B. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:48:46 PST

The Role of Violence in Street Crime: A Qualitative Study of Violent Offenders

Bennett, T., Brookman, F. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:48:46 PST

Studies on the motivation for violent street crime, such as robbery and assault, have tended to draw on either the rational choice or the subcultural perspective. This study explores the extent to which violence on the street can be explained by rational factors associated with the successful commission of the offence or social factors related to street culture. The study is based on qualitative interviews with 55 violent street offenders who were serving sentences for street robbery and assault in six prisons in the United Kingdom. The findings, based on accounts of 101 incidents of street violence, identified four main explanations for street violence: (a) successful offence enactment, (b) buzz and excitement, (c) status and honor, and (d) informal justice. The article concludes that there might be benefits in combining the insights of both perspectives by generating an integrated theory that would properly explain both the rational and the seemingly irrational components of street violence.

Mental Health Performance Measurement in Corrections

Hoge, S. K., Greifinger, R. B., Lundquist, T., Mellow, J. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:48:46 PST

Correctional facilities have become, by default, one of the largest providers of mental health care for patients with serious mental illness. In its 2002 Report to Congress, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care has reported that most facilities do not provide quality mental health care, nor do they conform to nationally accepted guidelines for mental health screening and treatment. This article describes the product of a consensus panel of correctional health care experts, charged to develop performance measures, based on nationally accepted standards, for selected elements of psychiatric treatment behind bars, aimed to improve the quality of care. Performance measures were developed for medication adherence, suicide prevention, mental health treatment planning, and sleep medication usage.

Inmate Harassment and Rape: An Exploratory Study of Seven Maximum- and Medium-Security Male Prisons in Israel

Einat, T. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:48:46 PST

Prisons deprive male inmates of heterosexual relationships and thus prevent them from asserting their masculinity via "traditional" means. Accordingly, many prisoners experience extreme emotional, psychological, and physical distress, which turns several of them to intimidation, aggression, and re-establishment of their sense of dominance through homosexual activities with coerced partners. This study, based on 760 hours of phenomenological semi-structured interviews undertaken in a random sample of 1.5% of the male prisoner population in Israel, analyzes the neglected issue of homosexual rape in Israeli prisons. The study finds that (a) sexual harassment or homosexual rapes rarely take place in Israeli prisons and (b) Israeli inmates view homosexual rape in prison as disgusting and disgraceful and conceptualize it in highly negative emotional terms.

Effect of a Longer Versus Shorter Test-Release Interval on Recidivism Prediction With the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS)

Walters, G. D. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:48:46 PST

The General Criminal Thinking (GCT) score of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS) was correlated with recidivism data obtained on 284 released male federal prisoners. The sample was divided into those inmates who had been released within 24 months of having completed the PICTS (shorter test-release interval; n = 138) and those inmates who had been released more than 24 months after having completed the PICTS (longer test-release interval; n = 146), and recidivism was measured by subsequent arrests and convictions accrued during a 6- to 78-month follow-up. Although the GCT score successfully predicted release outcome in the shorter test-release interval group, it failed to predict release outcome in the longer test-release interval group. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Public Perception of Sex Offender Social Policies and the Impact on Sex Offenders

Schiavone, S. K., Jeglic, E. L. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:48:46 PST

This study examines the public perception of sex offender policies and the perceived impact of sex offender policies on the sex offenders themselves. Specifically, this study explores how the community feels about the effectiveness of policies such as registration and community notification (Megan’s Law), and housing restrictions in reducing sexual recidivism. Data are collected from 115 participants from a nationwide online community message board. Results suggest that although most individuals support Megan’s Law, they do not feel the policy reduces recidivism. Furthermore, the majority of the participants also do not believe that housing restriction statutes are effective in reducing sexual recidivism. When questioned about the policy impact on sex offenders, the majority of respondents agree that as a consequence of Megan’s Law, sex offenders are afraid for their safety; however, they do not believe that residence restrictions hinder sex offenders’ employment opportunities. Findings from this study are discussed as they pertain to public policy and sex offender reintegration.

Racial Differences in Desistance From Substance Abuse: The Impact of Religious Involvement on Recovery

Chu, D. C., Sung, H.-E. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:48:46 PST

This study examines variations by race in the relationship between religiosity and desistance from substance abuse. Although most studies have included race as a control variable, only a few studies compared the equivalence of associations among religiosity, delinquency, recovery from substance abuse, and other variables between Black and White samples. Using data from the intake and 12-month follow-up survey of the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study, this study examines levels of religious involvement of Black and White drug treatment clients. In addition, it empirically tests whether religious involvement exerts differential effects on Black and White clients’ recovery from substance abuse. It was found that Black clients reported higher levels of religious involvement (measured by church attendance) than did White clients. Data indicated that religious behavior at 1-year follow-up was positively associated with Black clients’ recovery from substance abuse. In contrast, religious behavior was not a significant predictor of White clients’ desistance from substance abuse. Directions for future research and policy implications are discussed.

Drug Use and Criminal Activity Among Rural Probationers With DUI Histories

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:48:46 PST

The present study examined whether ever being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) was associated with higher levels of substance use and criminal activity in a sample of 800 probationers. Lifetime and 30-day histories of substance use and criminal activity were compared across three groups of probationers from rural Kentucky: those with a single DUI arrest, those with two or more DUI arrests, and those with no DUI arrests. A larger percentage of probationers with a DUI arrest reported lifetime and 30-day substance use than non-DUI offenders in almost all drug and alcohol categories. Higher prevalence of criminal activity was limited primarily to the multiple DUI arrest group. Findings add to the literature on rural substance abusers and indicate that DUI may be used as a marker to help identify opportunities for targeted substance abuse interventions.

The Ubiquity of Murder-Suicide

Palermo, G. B. — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:41:13 PDT

Domestic Homicide Followed by Parasuicide: A Comparison With Homicide and Parasuicide

Liem, M., Hengeveld, M., Koenraadt, F. — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:41:13 PDT

Homicide—suicides are a rare yet very serious form of interpersonal violence that occur mainly in partnerships and families. As both perpetrator and victim die in a homicide— suicide, data sources in previous studies typically lack detailed information. This study overcomes this limitation by making use of homicides followed by a suicide attempt of the perpetrator (homicide—parasuicides). The authors examine to what extent these homicide—parasuicides can be understood as being primarily an expression of homicidal or of suicidal behavior. In total, 77 homicide—parasuicides are compared to 430 homicides and 161 parasuicides. The results show that homicide—parasuicides constitute a different category of lethal violence with regard to demographic, individual, and event-related characteristics. Subanalyses of homicide—parasuicides involving women and children reveal similar differences. The finding that a large majority of the perpetrators were mentally ill, dependent on the victim, and killed when faced with separation from the victim may suggest that increased monitoring of this group might have preventive value.

Developing a Citywide Youth Violence Prevention Plan: Perceptions of Various Stakeholders

Payne, B. K., Button, D. M. — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:41:13 PDT

Researchers suggest that violence prevention requires community-wide efforts and partnerships that demonstrate commitment to youth development. Missing from this research, however, are studies considering how these partnerships are formed and how members of various groups involved in these partnerships perceive youth violence prevention. This study sought to fill this void. A series of seven focus group interviews were conducted with 85 stakeholders involved in developing a youth violence prevention plan in one community. Results suggest that the stakeholders were optimistic about developing violence prevention strategies and forging partnerships between various groups. Participants pointed to specific themes that provide a framework for understanding youth violence prevention planning efforts. Implications are provided.

Delinquent Activity Among Jewish and Arab Junior and Senior High School Students in Israel

Sherer, M. — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:41:13 PDT

This study compares the criminal activities of male and female Jewish and Arab junior and senior high school students in Israel based on self-reported criminal activities. The sample consisted of 906 randomly selected junior and senior high school students. The findings indicate that Jewish students committed more types of delinquent acts when compared with their Arab counterparts; males committed more delinquent acts than females; and Arab females had very low rates of delinquency. The findings are discussed in light of possible influences of cultural and ethnic origin and knowledge about possible discrimination against Arab juveniles by the Israeli criminal justice system. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are suggested.

The Relationship Between Street Children and the Justice System in Egypt

Ammar, N. H. — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:41:13 PDT

This article examines the relationship between street children and the justice system in Egypt. After introducing the context of street children in the Egyptian case, it explores whether the justice system exacerbates the problem of street children and whether its potential to play a positive part in alleviating the problem should be revisited. The article then explores the basis for the negative perspective on the role of the justice system and the steps required to improve its role in solving the problem of the increasing number of street children. It concludes with a three-pronged approach for the Egyptian justice system to adopt to effectively address the problem of street children. The article is based on an existing knowledge base that is scattered in small-sample empirical studies, large-scale surveys, United Nations reports, newspapers, and a few academic articles written in both English and Arabic.

A Combined Therapy Model (Individual and Family) for Children With Sexual Behavior Problems

Etgar, T., Shulstain-Elrom, H. — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:41:13 PDT

This article describes one model from a variety of therapy methods used in the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Sexual Aggression Among Children. The model combines family and individual therapy for children with sexual behavior problems. The frequency is of two successive individual sessions followed by one family session. The family sessions include the child and both parents, and in some cases siblings are also invited. The article specifies the importance of family therapy for this population and describes the context for appropriate interventions. It gives the characteristics of families whose children are having sexual behavior problems and who are suitable for therapy according to this model. The article deals, among other issues, with the importance of marking boundaries, talking about the fear, restructuring the family and changing behavioral patterns, and recreating communication channels.

The Social and Emotional Context of Childhood and Adolescent Animal Cruelty: Is There a Link to Adult Interpersonal Crimes?

Tallichet, S. E., Hensley, C. — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:41:13 PDT

The link between early animal abuse and later violence toward humans may depend on how acts of animal cruelty are experienced by those whose behavior demonstrates this graduation. Unfortunately, the research investigating the social and emotional context for the youthful commission of animal cruelty as it escalates to adult interpersonal violence is relatively nonexistent. Using 112 cases from a larger sample of 261 inmates surveyed at both medium and maximum security prisons in a southern state, the present study examined the effects of age of onset and frequency of animal cruelty, the covertness of animal cruelty, the commission of animal cruelty within a group or in isolation, and empathy for the abused animals. Inmates who had covered up their childhood and adolescent animal cruelty were more likely to have been convicted of repeated acts of interpersonal violence, demonstrating that the role of empathy and individuals present during acts of animal cruelty were less important than concealing those acts.

Book Review: Melton, G. B., Petrila, J., Poythress, N. G., & Slobogin, C. (2007). Psychological Evaluations for the Courts: A Handbook for Mental Health Professionals and Lawyers (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford

Kocsis, R. N. — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:41:13 PDT

Sexual Predator Law or Preventive Detention? Call It for What It Is

Palermo, G. B. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:25 PDT

Sexual Offenders in Preventive Detention: Data Concerning the Inmates and Expert Witness Practice

Habermeyer, E., Passow, D., Puhlmann, P., Vohs, K., Herpertz, S. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:25 PDT

In the last decade, preventive detention—especially that relating to sexual offenders— has gained relevance for the German legal system. However, data are lacking concerning the inmates and the modus operandi of the psychiatric experts. Court orders and psychiatric statements of 114 offenders with orders of preventive detention were examined, 57 of whom were incarcerated because of sexual offences. Sexual offenders mostly show antisocial personality traits or even disorders, with a history of poly-trophic delinquency. In only four cases, the diagnosis of a sexual disorder was given. The analysis showed a high rate of psychiatric expert testimonies' lacking basic information, with incomplete assessment of sexual history. None of the experts used standardized prognostic instruments, meaning that most of the risk factors included in the Sexual Violence Risk—20 and the Static-99 were not considered. Further work needs to be done to improve the quality of psychiatric statements concerning sexual offenders.

A New Psychometric Instrument Assessing Vulnerability to Risk of Suicide and Self-Harm Behaviour in Offenders: Suicide Concerns for Offenders in Prison Environment (SCOPE)

Perry, A. E., Olason, D. T. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:25 PDT

This study aimed to develop a new psychometric instrument to assess vulnerability to risk of suicide and nonfatal self-harm behaviour in young adult male and female offenders. In total three studies were conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the new instrument using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in different samples. Participants in all three studies included a total of 1,166 young adult offenders across six Her Majesty's Prisons. The new instrument, Suicide Concerns for Offenders in Prison Environment (SCOPE), contained 28 items scoring on two subscales. The factorial structure of the new instrument initially obtained with exploratory factor analysis was subsequently confirmed in a new sample. The internal consistency of the two subscales were acceptable but the test—retest reliability coefficients were moderate. Concurrent validation with the Beck Hopelessness Scale was acceptable and SCOPE showed the ability to discriminate between those at risk and those with no known history of attempted suicide and nonfatal self-harm behaviour ( p < 0.01).

Gender-Specific Factors Associated With Community Substance Abuse Treatment Utilization Among Incarcerated Substance Users

Staton-Tindall, M., Havens, J. R., Oser, C. B., Prendergast, M., Leukefeld, C. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:25 PDT

This article describes the independent correlates of preincarceration community substance abuse treatment utilization for male and female offenders currently participating in prison-based treatment. As part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse—funded Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies cooperative agreement, this protocol was implemented by four collaborating research centers. Males with a history of treatment utilization were more likely to be older, to have used crack, and to have had a greater number of arrests, and they were less likely to be arrested for a violent charge. Females with previous treatment were more likely to have been hospitalized for a health condition and were significantly more likely to have lived with someone else before prison rather than in their own home. These findings suggest that factors associated with preincarceration treatment utilization differ by gender, which may have important implications for correctional-based treatment assessment, reentry planning, and transitional case management.

Before the Next Storm: Some Evidence-Based Reminders About Temporary Release

Cheliotis, L. K. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:25 PDT

This article offers a long overdue comprehensive review of the literature on the effectiveness of temporary release programs for prisoners. Following an account of how the public and criminal justice workers view temporary release, and against the "nothing works" proposition, it is shown that while in the community, prisoners tend to spend their time constructively and comply with the rules and regulations of temporary release; both home leave and work release schemes can be effective in reducing recidivism rates, and work release in particular may also enhance postrelease employment prospects.

Art Therapy With Serious Juvenile Offenders: A Phenomenological Analysis

Persons, R. W. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:25 PDT

Forty-six seriously delinquent, incarcerated boys received individual and group therapy for 32 months. The study examined how art therapy addressed the boys' psychological needs via analysis of the boys' self-selected art productions. In descending order of frequency, the eight most frequent need themes were identity issues; need for security and tranquility; need for freedom, adventure, and fun; need for ideal parental relationships; need for affiliation and affection; erotic and sexual needs; expression of depression, childhood trauma, and other psychological problems; and religious or spiritual needs. The boys' perceptions of what was most helpful about art therapy in descending order were stress relief and relaxation, reduction of boredom, pride and self-confidence, positive recognition, working through frustration, enjoyment and fun, improvement of ability to concentrate, and the way they were treated. Three brief case histories and a description of the art therapy procedures are given. Possible implications for cognitive restructuring are discussed.

Perpetrators of Sexual Assault Continuing to Have Sex With Their Victims Following the Initial Assault: Evidence for Evolved Reproductive Strategies

Ellis, L., Widmayer, A., Palmer, C. T. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:25 PDT

Among a sample of college students, roughly 30% of the women and 12% of the men reported having been the victim of a sexual assault sometime in their lives. Of the assault victims, approximately 23% of both sexes stated that they had sexual intercourse with their assaulters on at least one subsequent occasion. Female victims of a completed sexual assault were significantly more likely to continue being sexually active with their assailants than were female victims who managed to block the assault, while no such difference was found for male victims. This would imply that some men are using assaultive tactics to secure sex partners beyond a single sexual episode, thereby enhancing their potential reproductive success in evolutionary terms. Also, men who committed sexual assault reported having had more lifetime sex partners than did sexually experienced men with no sexual assault history. Overall, the idea that sexual assault is part of an evolved reproductive strategy is consistent with findings from this study.

The Measurement of Psychopathy: Dimensional and Taxometric Approaches

Wright, E. M. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:25 PDT

This article extends the debate over personality disorders as dimensional or taxonic phenomena to the study of psychopathy and relates this issue to questions surrounding whether behaviors or personality traits best represent psychopathy. Proponents of dimensional measurements of psychopathy consider personality traits to be important constructs of psychopathy, whereas proponents of taxometric measurements consider behaviors to be important characteristics of psychopathy. After a brief introduction to the measurement of psychopathy, taxometric and dimensional measurement techniques are explained, their assumptions addressed, and their strengths and weaknesses discussed. Empirical evidence for each technique is then critiqued, and methodological problems are described. It is argued that methodological problems of existing studies largely preclude conclusions regarding whether psychopathy is dimensional or taxonic. Suggestions for future research are provided to address some of these methodological limitations. This review informs readers about each measurement approach and identifies problems regarding the dimensional or taxonic measurement of psychopathy.

Accuracy of the Static-99 in Predicting Recidivism in Switzerland

Endrass, J., Urbaniok, F., Held, L., Vetter, S., Rossegger, A. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:25 PDT

The Static-99 is a widely used actuarial risk assessment instrument. Various international validation studies have found satisfactory to good predictive validity for the Static-99, with the area under the curve (AUC) between 59% and 95%. This study is the first evaluation of the predictive accuracy of the Static-99 among sex offenders in Switzerland. The Static-99 scores of 69 violent/sex offenders in Switzerland were assessed using data from their psychiatric assessments. Recidivism was operationalized as reconviction assessed from penal records. The Static-99 risk levels were predictive for recidivism (AUC = .758) among our population. The results are discussed on the basis of the literature.

Editorial: Delinquency: Risks and Protective Factors

Palermo, G. B. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:14:05 PDT

Exploring the Gender Differences in Protective Factors: Implications for Understanding Resiliency

Hartman, J. L., Turner, M. G., Daigle, L. E., Exum, M. L., Cullen, F. T. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:14:06 PDT

Understanding the causes of why individuals desist from or are resilient to delinquency and drug use has become a salient social concern. Much research has centered on the effects that protective factors possess in fostering resiliency but that research has not fully explored how the effects of protective factors might vary across gender. Using a sample of 711 individuals from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, Child—Mother data set, the authors investigate how individual protective factors vary across gender on two measures of resiliency that document the lack of involvement in serious delinquency and drug use. They also examine whether the accumulation of protective factors varies across gender in fostering resiliency. The findings suggest that although males and females rely on different individual protective factors to foster resiliency, the accumulation of protective factors appears to be equally important for males and females in promoting resiliency. The authors discuss theoretical and policy implications.

Attorney Views on the Use of Private Agencies for Probation Supervision and Treatment

Alarid, L. F., Schloss, C. S. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:14:06 PDT

The exponential rise in probation caseloads has necessitated that some jurisdictions contract with private probation agencies and community-based private treatment providers. Regulations that monitor private providers are ill defined or absent, leaving standards open to broad interpretation. Attorneys in one jurisdiction that used private providers were surveyed to measure their beliefs about private treatment providers for people sentenced to probation. The research found that attorneys supported private provider representatives being present in court to contact defendants and to provide evidence to strengthen probation violations. Private agency reputation and standardized criteria were important to establish qualifications in offering supervision and treatment services.

The Effect of Sexual Priming Cues on Emotional Recognition in Nonviolent Child Sexual Abusers: A Preliminary Study

Oliver, C. J., Watson, D. G., Gannon, T. A., Beech, A. R. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:14:06 PDT

This article describes a study that used a computer-based task to investigate the emotional recognition skills of child sexual abusers. The experiment consisted of two phases (prime and probe) and measured both response time and error rates to facial expressions. The priming phase of the experiment consisted of the presentation of short phrases via computer of either sexual or neutral content. The probe phase of the experiment consisted of the presentation of adult facial expressions depicting either the emotion fear or surprise. Results showed child sexual abusers to be slightly less accurate overall. Furthermore, contrary to prediction, the effect of sexual priming appeared to make child sexual abusers actually better at recognizing fearful faces (p = .055). This result is discussed in relation to current victim empathy theory and treatment implications for sexual offenders.

Rape Myth Acceptance in Men Who Completed the Prostitution Offender Program of British Columbia

Klein, C., Kennedy, M. A., Gorzalka, B. B. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:14:06 PDT

In an effort to characterize the attitudes and characteristics of men who solicit sex, this study investigated rape myth acceptance as assessed by a modification of Burt's Rape Myth Acceptance Scale. The participants were all men who took part in the Prostitution Offender Program of British Columbia after being arrested for attempting to solicit sex from an undercover police officer. Relationships between endorsement of rape myths, other attitudes, sexual behavior, and demographic variables were examined. Results reveal that age, education, use of pornography, ideal frequency of intercourse, and believing that purchasing sex is a problem are all negatively correlated with rape myth acceptance. Positive correlations were found between rape myth acceptance and sexual conservatism, sexual violence/coercion, and social desirability. Results are discussed in terms of the association between rape myth acceptance and the violence frequently perpetrated against those working in the sex trade.

An Examination of Current Psychometric Assessments of Child Molesters' Offense-Supportive Beliefs Using Ward's Implicit Theories

Gannon, T. A., Keown, K., Rose, M. R. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:14:06 PDT

Are current questionnaire methods fit for the task of assessing offense-related schemas? Six published and unpublished questionnaire measures that assess child molesters' offense-related beliefs are evaluated and examined for evidence of the five implicit schemas proposed by Ward: children as sexual beings, nature of harm, uncontrollability, entitlement, and dangerous world. Current treatment approaches assume that child molesters hold some, if not all, of these implicit schemas—an assumption demonstrated through the use of appropriately modified schema-based treatment techniques. Coding the six questionnaires revealed that nonsexual offense-specific implicit theories are underrepresented on existing measures (i.e., uncontrollability, entitlement, and dangerous world) and that many questionnaire items could not be classified as tapping any implicit theories. Suggestions are made for the future design and revision of questionnaire assessments .

The Attitudes Toward Prostitution Scale: Preliminary Report on Its Development and Use

Sawyer, S. P., Metz, M. E. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:14:06 PDT

The Attitudes Toward Prostitution Scale (ATPS) assesses the beliefs of men who purchase sex from prostitutes. Items for the ATPS were administered to a U.S. multisite sample of 1,001 men who had been arrested for soliciting an undercover police officer and subsequently referred to a psychoeducational program. Principal axis factor analysis was conducted, and it yielded three valid factors: Social/Legal Support of Prostitution, Beliefs About Prostitutes, and Family Values Related to Prostitution. Scale-item reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha on a second independent sample of 74 men, which offered data to support ATPS internal consistency and reliability. Based on these results, scale scores were standardized for practical use in research and clinical applications, and interpretation norms were established for a population of men who buy sex. A brief case example illustrates the practical use of the ATPS for assessment and intervention planning for customers of sex workers.

Physical and Property Victimization Behind Bars: A Multilevel Examination

Lahm, K. F. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:14:06 PDT

The majority of the extant literature on inmate victimization considers only one level of analysis, thus ignoring the interaction effects between inmate- and prison-level variables. To extend this literature, multilevel modeling techniques were used to analyze self-report data from more than 1,000 inmates and 30 prisons in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. Results revealed that demographic variables were strong predictors of physical victimization (i.e., race and assaultive behavior). Also, security level had a contextual direct effect on physical victimization. Property victimization was best explained with an integrated model including inmate (i.e., race, assaultive behavior, prior education, prior employment, and time served), contextual (i.e., security level and proportion non-White), and micro—macro interaction variables (i.e., Race x Security Level). Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.