Risk markers for family violence in a federally incarcerated population.

Although no prior attempts have been made to assess risk markers for wife assault in federal offenders, some prima facie evidence suggests that these populations may demonstrate high rates of family violence: demographic and psychological factors commonly found in incarcerated populations are also mentioned in most of the literature describing assaultive males. For those inmates with a history of, or propensity for, wife assault, such behaviour could occur upon release, particularly if the offenders return to preincarceration relationships. Hotaling and Sugarman (1986) reviewed published studies on risk markers for husband-to-wife violence. Husband characteristics consistently found to be significantly associated with assaultiveness included witnessing violence as a child or adolescent, alcohol use, lack of assertiveness, low income, low educational level, and sexual aggressiveness toward the partner. Risk markers that were inconsistently associated with assaultiveness included experiencing violence as a child or adolescent, unemployment, a criminal arrest record (two of three studies found a significant association), lack of self-esteem, and need for power/dominance. Clearly, many of these risk markers are prevalent in incarcerated populations. One method of establishing descriptive profiles of assaultive men is reports given by their wives to clinic or shelter house personnel (e.g., Dobash & Dobash, 1979; Gondolf, 1988; Rosenbaum & O’Leary, 1981; Rounsaville, 1978; Snyder & Fruchtman, 1981; Walker, 1979). What is suggested by these descriptions is a composite profile of men who were traumatized by abuse in their family of origin, are generally violent, have substance abuse problems, and a high incidence of personality disorders (especially borderline personalities). These studies suggest that sociodemographic risk markers, histories of abuse in the family of origin, and personality assessment may all be pertinent to the estimation of family violence potential in any population of males, including an incarcerated population. They also indicate a strong prima facie case to suspect a high prevalence of family violence in such a population.