There is an emergent body of research that has begun to identify the significant Axis I and Axis II mental health problems of female inmates that suggest a potential relationship between certain personality disorders (PDs) and violent or criminal behavior. However, current research lacks clinically robust studies of PDs among detained and imprisoned women. This study attempted to examine this relationship by focusing on a sample of women in a maximum security prison, identified as being at high risk for violent and criminal behavior. Specifically, it examined the relationship between Axis II disorders and community and institutional violence among a sample of 261 female felons incarcerated at a maximum security prison for women. Two hundred nonpsychotic women were identified who met criteria for 1 of the 4 Cluster B personality disorders (antisocial, borderline, histrionic, or narcissistic PD) and 50 nonpsychotic women who did not meet criteria for these disorders. Each inmate was interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders (SCID-II). Findings indicated a significant association between different Axis II diagnoses and patterns of criminality and violence within this sample. The findings highlight the relevance of PDs to the understanding of the criminal and violent acts perpetrated by incarcerated women. High rates of comorbidity were reflected within the sample among the Cluster B disorders. References