title: From trauma to incarceration: exploring the trajectory in a qualitative study in male prison inmates from north Queensland, Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There were approximately 34,000 prisoners incarcerated in Australian correctional centres as of 2014. The most common offence type for these prisoners was 'acts intended to cause injury', comprising 18 % of the total offences. Of the various risk factors for violent offending and incarceration identified in international research, trauma - either single events or ongoing; and substance abuse - which is commonly associated with violent behaviour across many cultures, are major contributors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper analyses qualitative data from 11 in-depth interviews with inmates from a high security male correctional centre in QLD, Australia. The aim of the study was to explore risk factors for violence and incarceration for men from far north Queensland.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A common trajectory to violent offending and incarceration was identified for these prisoners, including: childhood/adolescent trauma; a lack of support or treatment for trauma experiences; substance abuse to mask the pain; and a 'brain snap' precipitating a violent offence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is required into factors leading to violent offending and incarceration generally. In particular early detection and intervention for trauma victims is imperative in order to reduce exposure to such a harmful trajectory from trauma to incarceration.
authors.affiliation: James Cook University, Room E1.003A, McGregor Road, Smithfield, Cairns, 4870 QLD Australia.
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Honorato
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Psychology, College of Healthcare Science, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD Australia.
authors.forename: Nerina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Caltabiano
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD Australia.
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Clough
keywords: Incarceration; Male prison inmates; Trauma; Violent offending