Life experiences and health factors linked to violent offending and repeated incarceration among males in Spain

Rates of repeated incarceration for violent crimes are a significant problem in most countries due to their human, social and economic impact. The current research aimed to detect targetable life, personal and health related variables linked to reincarceration and conviction for violent crimes in a sample of incarcerated males in Spain (n = 201). For this, self-administered surveys and administrative data were used. Frequency of antisocial behaviours was linked to both general and violent reincarceration. Years working, serious mental, and physical illnesses were associated with number of incarcerations, but not with violent reincarceration specifically. These results reinforce the need for a multi-aetiological approach to crime and reincarceration prevention that focused on lifestyle variables, health promotion and the establishment of regular work resources.