Type II Workplace Violence in the Federal Bureau of Prisons

Jennifer L. Edens, Ph.D.

Chief, Behavioral Sciences Programs

Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Washington, DC

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Over 35,000 Staff 109 Institutions Over 180,000 Inmates Minimum to Administrative

Maximum Security Inmates

Management Strategies

Walk and Talk– Know Your Inmate Population– Effective Communication / Problem-solving

Use of Force Model– Confrontational Avoidance– De-escalation– Use of Force as Last Alternative

Why Inmates Assault

Disciplinary Action National/International Events Gang or Terrorist Action Specific Agency or Staff Grievance Mental Illness RARE - Under the Influence of

Substances / Crime in Progress

How Inmates Assault

Inmate Assaults on StaffRate Per 5,000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Without WeaponWith Weapon

Demography of Assaults

Special Housing Unit History of Threatened / Confirmed Assault

on Staff History of Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment Higher Rates of Suicide Attempts Higher Rates of Head Injury

Future Directions SHU Technology – Psychology Services and

Correctional Services Interface– History of Assaultive Behavior– History of Suicidal Ideation/Attempts– Mental Illness– History of Poor SHU Adjustment

Data Collection– Assaultive Behavior & Parasuicides – Lethality– Impulsive v. Planful Actions