Interpersonal factors as predictors of disciplinary infractions in incarcerated personality disordered offenders

A number of studies suggest that personality factors, but particularly psychopathy, play a significant role in violence risk prediction. To date, there have been few studies looking at interpersonal style as a predictor of institutional violence. We examined the predictive validity of the Chart of Interpersonal Reactions in Closed Living Environments (CIRCLE) Dominance, Coercion and Hostility scales and the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening version (PCL:SV) for institutional aggression at 12 month follow-up in 100 personality disordered prisoners. We found that aggressive prisoners had significantly higher scores on the three key CIRCLE subscales and the PCL:SV than non-aggressive prisoners, but the CIRCLE subscales were statistically better predictors of any subsequent infraction, particularly verbal aggression, at 12-month follow-up based on subsequent predictive validity analyses. Survival analyses indicated that although the PCL:SV was better at distinguishing poor survival rates for any infraction and for physical violence, the CIRCLE subscales were better in distinguishing survival rates for verbal aggression. The findings suggest that the staff ratings of interpersonal style particularly CIRCLE Dominance, Coercion and Hostility may have some utility in the identification of those who will engage in disciplinary infractions in institutional care.