The sample of 310 armed robbers consisted of 78 prisoners in Washington in seven prisons, 125 prisoners in Maryland in five prisons, and 107 prisoners in Texas in eight prisons. Data were collected between May and July 1995, using a 40-item questionnaire designed to measure psychological, sociological, and structural characteristics of inmates. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, and standard analysis of variance was employed to compare differences between the two groups. Results showed the amount of money available from the robbery was of greater importance to violent robbers than it was to nonviolent robbers. Violent robbers were less concerned about the presence of armed or unarmed guards and about the number of clerks, customers, and other people present than nonviolent robbers. Violent robbers were more likely than nonviolent robbers to be high on drugs or alcohol. In addition, violent robbers committed their crimes despite being more likely to know than non-robbers what the sentence would be. Violent robbers were generally more willing to take higher risks than nonviolent robbers. 10 references, 11 footnotes, 3 tables, and 2 exhibits