Psychopathy in Correctional Settings: Considerations for Developing and Implementing a Treatment Program

Psychopathy is associated with higher levels of violence as well as general and violent recidivism after release from prison. A disorder with a long and rich clinical and research history, psychopathy has gained an undeserved reputation as a syndrome that is unresponsive to treatment. This article presents information that undermines long-standing problematic assumptions regarding the treatability of individuals with psychopathic traits and posits that implementing treatment programs in correctional settings is critical to decrease recidivism and violence. We discuss several treatment programs that have evidenced some success in the treatment of individuals with psychopathy and have the potential to be widely implemented in correctional settings, as well as general tenets of successful treatment programs and specific targets.