Dual Severe Mental and Substance Use Disorders as Predictors of Federal Inmate Assaults

Abstract

The relationships between dual psychiatric and substance use disorders and assaults among U.S. federal prisoners were examined using logistic regression. Dually disordered inmates were more likely to be assaulted than nondually disordered inmates but both groups were equally likely to assault others. Assault victimization and perpetration were strongly correlated, and assault victimization and perpetration were associated with being assaulted before this incarceration and lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses. Dually disordered inmates may be “importing” into prison some vulnerability to being assaulted. Effectively screening for and treating inmates’ trauma-related disorders (e.g., PTSD), and providing inmates specialized dual disorders treatments are two study implications.