The Effectiveness of Violence Reduction Treatment for Psychopathic Offenders: Empirical Evidence and a Treatment Model

Abstract

Psychopathy, a personality disorder, is characterized by dysfunctional and externalizing affective and interpersonal traits that can be manifested as violent and antisocial behaviors. Psychopathic individuals are often referred for treatment in criminal justice or forensic mental health settings to reduce the harm they may inflict on themselves and others. While the ‘what works’ treatment approaches to reduce recidivism and violence have enjoyed widespread support, therapeutic nihilism for psychopathy abounds. A two-component model is proposed to provide a conceptual framework for the treatment of psychopathy. Three studies on the treatment of psychopathic offenders to reduce violence and offending behaviors are reviewed and show positive treatment outcomes. The study results support the efficacy for the treatment of psychopathic individuals and for the proposed model.

Keywords:

• psychopathy
• treatment
• violence
• offenders
• effectiveness

Acknowledgments

The views presented are that of the authors and do not represent that of any of the affiliated organizations.

Notes

The program for violent offenders was replaced by a program for mentally disordered and learning disabled offenders in 2010 because of changing offender needs.

Before the VRS was developed formally, a less structured clinical protocol was used to identify treatment targets.