Research has shown a high prevalence of Cluster B personality disorders (e.g., borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial) in forensic populations, and the relationship between these traits and corresponding schema modes. Coping modes such as the Self-Soother, Detached Protector, and Self-Aggrandiser were relevant to these populations but could not fully explain a wider range of forensic risk behaviour seen in the forensic system among offenders. This led to an expansion of the schema therapy mode conceptualisation to include the following hypothesised modes commonly seen among offenders: Bully and Attack mode, Paranoid Overcontroller mode, Conning Manipulator mode, and Predator mode. The forensic schema therapy model described in this chapter provides a framework for understanding and ultimately treating forensic risk behaviour through the concept of schema modes which represent distinct ‘pathways to offending’, internal vulnerability risk factors for offending behaviour. Several treatment considerations are described for the application of schema therapy to the forensic context.

Interventions with violent offenders are likely to be most beneficial for the person, potential victims and society when directed at those with the strongest histories of violence, many of whom also have extensive histories of crime. These psychological interventions are most often provided in groups for men in correctional settings, and are intensive, with a focus both on influencing dynamic risk factors, but especially on providing a responsive solution to the myriad challenges posed by common characteristics of this client group, such as low readiness for change and high PCL-R scores. The theoretical and empirical research base for these interventions still lags well behind the practice; there is tentative positive evidence that these programmes reduce recidivism and change dynamic risk factors, but meta-analytic findings are hampered by study heterogeneity and a lack of primary research. Areas for future development include interventions for mentally disordered clients, women and indigenous people.