Crime Prevention and Treatment Policies: A Biopsychosocial Approach

by Anthony Walsh

Overview

This book shows how to use biopsychosocial assessment for crime prevention and to achieve more individualized treatment for those who commit crimes. Author Anthony Walsh, a prominent figure in biosocial criminology for more than four decades, examines the treatment policy recommendations of major criminological theories and how they might be improved by integrating relevant biopsychosocial insights. Walsh contends that sound crime prevention and treatment policies must be based on empirical evidence derived from theories about the causes of crime if they are to reduce incarceration rates. The biopsychosocial perspective improves on traditional theories by examining all putative causes of crime from the micro to the macro— from neurons to neighborhoods— and should thus improve prevention and treatment efforts.

The understanding of the genetic, neurobiological, and physiological components of antisocial behavior has improved exponentially over the past three decades. The relevant biological measures (e.g., genotyping, hormone assays, autonomic system arousal levels, resting heart rates) are routinely examined in university labs for research purposes. This book shows how measures of these components can be fruitfully integrated into the risk- need- responsivity model of offender treatment.

Offering a fresh perspective, this book is essential for both scholars and practitioners wishing to explore treatment modalities that consider the biological aspects of criminality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781041078029
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/08/2025
Series:	Routledge Frontiers of Criminal Justice
Pages:	278
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Anthony Walsh is a professor emeritus of criminology at Boise State University. He has taught biosocial criminology, statistics, and philosophy of law there for 34 years. He received his Ph.D. in criminology from Bowling Green State University in 1983. He worked as a marine, merchant seaman, police officer, and probation officer before entering academia at the age of 44. He is widely published, with 55 books and over 150 articles and book chapters on a variety of topics including biosocial aspects of crime and natural theology. He has received the Boise State Foundation Scholar Award for Research and lifetime achievement awards from both the Biosocial Criminology Association and the Biopsychosocial Division of the American Society of Criminology for his research in biosocial criminology. His work has been featured on the Phil Donahue Show, Nova, and Nippon (Japanese) TV.

Table of Contents

PART I: Introduction to Crime Prevention and Treatment Policy

Chapter 1. What is Crime Prevention Policy?

PART II: The Biopsychosocial Perspective

Chapter 2. The Biopsychosocial Perspective and Behavioral Genetics

Chapter 3. Molecular Genetics and Antisocial Behavior

Chapter 4. Neurobiology and Antisocial Behavior

Chapter 5. The Social Emotions and Conscience

PART III: Traditional Criminology Theories and Prevention and Treatment Policies

Chapter 6. Human Ecology/Social Disorganization Theory and Policy

Chapter 7. The Anomie Tradition and Policy

Chapter 8. Subcultural Theories and Poverty

Chapter 9. Social Learning Theories

Chapter 10. Social and Self-Control Theories

PART IV: Specific Syndromes Associated with Criminal Behavior and Prevention and Treatment Policies

Chapter 11. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Causes and Treatment

Chapter 12. Schizophrenia: Causes and Treatment

Chapter 13. Substance Abuse Disorders and Criminal Behavior

Chapter 14. The Microenvironment: Teratogens and Diet

PART V: Traditional and Biopsychosocial Approaches to Assessment and Treatment

Chapter 15. Correctional Assessment and Treatment Programming

Chapter 16. Biopsychosocial Prevention and Treatment