We employed the Templer Death Anxiety Scale and the Langer Mental Health Scale to examine death anxiety and mental health as a function of length of incarceration in 56 male prisoners, categorized according to homicidal, sexual, or nonviolent convictions. Nonoffenders (N = 60), closely matched by age, race, and socioeconomic background, served as a comparison group. While no significant death anxiety difference was found between offenders and nonoffenders with all participants included, sexual offenders had significantly higher death anxiety scores than nonoffenders. All 3 offender groups had significantly more reported psychopathology than nonoffenders. Both death anxiety and extent of psychopathology were inversely related to length of incarceration. Findings are discussed in terms of current arguments regarding the personality structure of capital offenders, as well as the possible value of a death threat in deterring serious crime.

A brief history of paradoxical interventions and a rationale for applying paradoxical techniques to the cases of inpatients at a prison psychiatric facility are outlined. Common inmate personality characteristics and type of paradoxical techniques indicated are discussed. Four case studies are presented, as well as indications and contraindications for the utility of such interventions.An inpatient psychiatric hospital located within a prison setting often conjures up images of "mass murderers'" and "criminally insane'" individuals. While such cases do exist, they represent a small percentage of the clients seen at the South Carolina Department of Corrections Mental Health Unit (MHU). The majority of inmates fall into three categories: those with severe thought or affective disorders, individuals who are attempting to manipulate their environmental circumstances for secondary gain, and inmates who have been management problems at other institutions within the Department of Corrections.As a result of fiscal realities, staff of such an inpatient facility are limited. Interventions need to be short-term, problem-focused, and typically incorporate a crisis intervention model. It is interesting to note that at any given time about twothirds of the inmates being treated have been patients in state mental hospitals and have thus been exposed to previous attempts at psychotherapeutic Requests for reprints should be sent to Jeffrey Chase, P.O.

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