Intimate Partner Violence Against Women Perpetrators in Spanish Prisons: A Typological Approach

Abstract

Objective: Building on a typology developed with a police sample of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) perpetrators, this study examined the distribution and criminal trajectories of four identified groups within a prison sample: low instability–low antisociality, high instability–low antisociality, low instability–high antisociality (LiHa), and high instability–high antisociality (HiHa). Method: Data were collected from 1,013 individuals incarcerated for IPVAW, with a detailed criminal record analysis conducted for 909 offenders. Criminogenic variables included criminal versatility, patterns of violence, number of prison admissions, and age at first imprisonment. Results: Findings revealed distinct patterns among the groups: high instability–low antisociality offenders predominantly acted as specialist batterers, while LiHa and HiHa offenders were generalists with broader criminal tendencies. LiHa and HiHa offenders (high antisociality) had more frequent prison admissions and experienced incarceration at younger ages. HiHa offenders were more likely to begin their criminal trajectories with property-related offenses, LiHa offenders with physical violence, and high instability–low antisociality offenders with nonphysically violent crimes. Conclusions: The results underscore the need for differentiated intervention strategies. Offenders with high antisocial traits may benefit from intensive programs targeting their violent cognitive schemas, while those with high instability may require interventions specific to IPVAW dynamics. This typological approach enhances our understanding of criminogenic needs among IPVAW inmates, supporting the development of tailored rehabilitation programs that optimize correctional resources and improve outcomes.