VIOLENT OFFENSES AND CAPACITY FOR SELF-CONTROL

Previous research has indicated the potential value of Anger Control T raining as an intervention in work with individuals who have acted agg ressively towards others. However, the general suitability of this met hod for work with convicted violent offenders has not been explored in any systematic way. This paper reports results from a small scale sur vey of offenders (n = 39) with convictions for violence and placed on probation. The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which lack or loss of control had contributed to the occurrence of violent acts. Data were gathered from supervising Probation Officers by means of a structured questionnaire and interview schedule, in which offence inci dents were to be described and analysed using a prescribed set of guid elines. Results suggest that loss of self-control is seen as having pl ayed an important part in acts of personal violence, and that a signif icant proportion of offender/clients may be able to benefit from direc t training in self-control and be motivated to change. The study invol ved only an indirect form of data collection, and future research is r ecommended to examine these issues in more depth using direct intervie w and psychometric assessments.