Offenders convicted of violent crimes accounted for almost 15,000 (7.5%) of the federal inmate population in recent reports; and, despite the public's perception that the overall crime rate is down, there are indications that rates of violent crime may actually be increasing in certain geographic areas and populations. In response, forensic psychologists are increasingly being called upon to understand the causes of violence, predict violent behavior and the likelihood or recidivism, develop treatment programs, and even assist law enforcement in solving crimes. The assessment of violence is an ever-evolving field of study and the need for updated analysis of personality constructs, etiological links, corollary elements, and tools for violence prediction are of primary import. Violent Offenders addresses the numerous challenges and issues facing individuals working with this population and provides broad coverage regarding specific groups of violent perpetrators. It looks at a wide-range of topics and offending populations including violent children and adolescents, intimate partner violence, terrorism, sexually based crimes, gang violence, institutional violence, and violence perpetrated by police officers. Skillfully edited by Christina Pietz, a forensic psychologist, and Curtis Mattson, a clinical psychologist, this volume offers insight into current psychological theories of violence and addresses the links, both evident and assumed, between psychological disorders and violence. Chapters are authored by leaders in their fields and cover topics such as the psychiatric treatment of violent behavior, assessment and prediction of risk for future dangerousness, special considerations for ethical conduct, research considerations, and the etiological associations of violence with neurophysiology, substance abuse, and environment. Violent Offenders will benefit clinicians and professionals working in correctional and forensic fields and is appropriate for use in clinical and counseling graduate programs that offer specialized training in correctional and/or forensic psychology and for courses in deviant behavior and setting-specific assessment.

About the Author
Christina A. Pietz, PhD, ABPP, is a Forensic Psychologist at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, MO, and at Burrell Behavioral Health. She has completed psychological evaluations for federal courts throughout the United States, and she has testified as an expert witness in federal court, state court, and military court. Dr. Pietz is also Director of Forensic Training at the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology and Past President of the American Board of Forensic Psychology. Currently, she serves on the American Board of Psychology Board of Trustees as the representative for the American Board of Forensic Psychology. Curtis A. Mattson, PsyD, is a Clinical Psychologist with Burrell Behavioral Health. At Burrell, Dr. Mattson is a member of the research team where he is currently involved in multiple research endeavors in the areas of neuropsychology, substance abuse, psychopathy, and personality assessment.

Reviews
Drs. Pietz and Mattson have assembled a formidable collection of original chapters from some of the most authoritative scientist-practitioners in the field of criminal violence. For those professionals who want to stay on the leading edge of knowledge, this book is mandatory reading. Lombroso, Krafft-Ebing, and Cleckley would be proud of this prodigious effort. * J. Reid Meloy, Ph.D., ABPP, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, and faculty, San Diego Psychoanalytic Center *
This is an excellent, practical book, with hundreds of references to follow up on. It should be in the libraries of clinicians who work in correctional institutions and mental health facilities. * Doody's Notes *
Violence comes in many forms and has many causes. This amazing volume deals with all of them. It is astonishingly comprehensive, with a truly impressive array of chapter authors. It will be an instant classic and must reading for anyone who wants to understand the many faces of violent behavior. * Joel A. Dvoskin, PhD, ABPP, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine, and Chair, Nevada Governor's Advisory Council on Behavioral Health and Wellness *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199917297
Author Christina A. Pietz
Format Paperback
Page Count 568
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 794g
Dimensions(mm) 155mm * 231mm * 31mm