Pathology and Disruptiveness among Prison Inmates

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between mental health problems of prison inmates and the inmates' involvement in custodial violations. We find that mentally ill inmates have a higher rate of disciplinary infractions than other inmates, controlling for differences in social and criminal history. There are also indications that the rate of disciplinary infractions varies with the nature, severity, and chronicity of inmate mental health problems. We discuss these findings from a perspective that views disturbed and disruptive behavior as related manifestations of an impaired ability to cope with social situations.