ABSTRACT
Psychopathy, as defined by Hare (2003), is recognised as a significant issue for the
criminal justice system. Those with high levels of psychopathic traits have increased
risk of re-offending (Dolan & Doyle, 2000; Salekin, Rogers, & Sewell, 1996; Walters,
2003; Yang, Wong, & Coid, 2010), reduced compliance with institutional rules and
regimes (Dolan & Davies, 2006; Leistico, Salekin, DeCoster, & Rogers, 2008) and
poorer responses to treatment (D’Silva, Duggan, & McCarthy, 2004; Hemphill &
Hart, 2002; Thornton & Blud, 2007). More recently there has been a shift in focus
from identifying the existence of such associations to trying to establish why these
associations occur. Cooke (2010) considers how different traits linked to psychopathy
have impacted differently on the associations highlighted above. For example,
individuals who have a need for status may have this fulfilled by respect from
criminal peers and protect this need for status through aggression towards those who
threaten their position. Also, a lack of empathy, guilt and fear may act as a
disinhibitor for violent behaviour for those who possess these traits.
