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This explorative empirical study examined patterns of repeated severe prison violence within a cohort of 350 detainees admitted to the Dutch high-security “Violence Facility” for uncontrollably violent detainees, aiming to identify detainee characteristics predicting severe prison violence recidivism. Data were derived from judicial reports, imprisonment registrations, and criminal records. Proportional hazards regressions were used to assess prison violence recidivism risk up to 7.5 years post-discharge by examining detainee factors related to crime history, psychopathological diagnoses, and historical and clinical violence-related risk factors. Almost 30% of detainees were re-admitted to the Violence Facility, indicating recurrent severe prison violence. A pattern of rebelliousness and non-compliance emerged as a pre-existing and persistent trait. Additionally significant were recent social functioning, treatment motivation, and daytime activity engagement in predicting prison violence recidivism. Findings enhance understanding of the persistence and predictors of prison violence, yielding implications for risk management and violence prevention in correctional settings.

Prison Violence Recidivism Among Men After Release From a High-Security Prison

Understanding why some detainees repeatedly engage in serious violence during imprisonment can help improve prison safety. This study examined a group of 350 male detainees who had been placed in a high-security prison unit in the Netherlands, designed for detainees with extremely violent behavior. Detainees were followed for up to 7.5 years after they were discharged from this facility. Nearly 30% of the detainees returned to the high-security facility due to new incidents of severe prison violence, showing that this kind of behavior often reoccurs. This study identified detainee factors that increase this risk and showed that repeated prison violence is partly predictable based on certain detainee characteristics. In particular, patterns of rebelliousness and non-compliance were often present before detention. Poor recent social functioning, low treatment motivation, and lack of daytime activities were also important risk factors. By identifying these key factors, the study provides valuable insights into which detainees are at higher risk of reoffending violently in prison. These findings can inform prison policy and prevention efforts to improve risk assessment and to reduce violence in correctional settings.

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Prison Violence Recidivism Among Male Detainees After Discharge From a High-Security and High-Restricted Prison Facility