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Posttraumatic stress, panic disorder, violence, and recidivism among local jail detainees

Elizabeth Combs (Department of Psychology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA)
Kaitlin Guston (Department of Psychology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA)
Albert Kopak (Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA)
Alyssa Raggio (Mission Health, Asheville, North Carolina, USA)
Norman G. Hoffmann (Evince Clinical Assessments, Waynesville, North Carolina, USA)

International Journal of Prisoner Health

ISSN: 1744-9200

Article publication date: 16 August 2019

Issue publication date: 18 September 2019

311

Abstract

Purpose

Most research on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and offending has been conducted with special populations (e.g. veterans and female inmates) and generally overlooks the additive effect of panic disorder (PD) in offending patterns. The purpose of this paper is to assess the prevalence of PTSD and PD among jail inmates, while simultaneously examining the relationships between these disorders, offending types and frequency.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of adults recently booked into a local county jail participated in the Comprehensive Addictions and Psychological Evaluation-5 (CAAPE-5), a structured psychological assessment. The study sample was comprised of 200 male and 83 female inmates.

Findings

Indications of PTSD were observed among 44.0 percent of male inmates and 57.8 percent of female inmates. Most male inmates (78.4 percent) with positive PTSD indications also met criteria for PD, with a similar proportion (78.1 percent) of female inmates also meeting criteria for both. The combination of PTSD and PD was not associated with offending frequency, but inmates presenting indications of both PTSD and PD were more likely to be charged with a violent offense relative to those with only PTSD.

Practical implications

Inmates with PTSD who also have panic attacks may have a more severe condition with possible implications for other risks. Observations of these conditions among adults recently booked into local jails should coincide with each other.

Originality/value

Few studies have examined mental health conditions among local jail detainees, despite the ever-present need to address them. The current study considers this important population and investigates the prevalence of co-occurring conditions.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Data collection for the current project was supported by C4 Recovery Foundation.

Citation

Combs, E., Guston, K., Kopak, A., Raggio, A. and Hoffmann, N.G. (2019), "Posttraumatic stress, panic disorder, violence, and recidivism among local jail detainees", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 15 No. 4, pp. 366-375. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-06-2018-0036

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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