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 Staff Rate Per 5,000

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