The Predictive Validity of the PCL:SV Among a Swiss Prison Population

Abstract

Recent studies have found mixed results for the ability of the PCL:SV to predict in-prison violence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the PCL:SV for predicting in-prison violence in Switzerland. Method: PCL:SV scores were assessed from a sample of 114 prisoners sentenced to at least 10 months in prison for sexual or violent offenses. Results: Significant effect sizes for verbal aggressive behavior were found for sexual offenders. No significant results were found in a sample of violent offenders. No significant results were found for physical violence in any subgroup. Discussion: The results suggest only a limited degree of accuracy for the PCL:SV in predicting intramural aggressive behavior for the sample used in this study.