Personality characteristics of prisoners in accordance with their hierarchy in a criminal group

On the basis of Federal state prevention and treatment facility “Regional tuberculosis hospital №7, Association of correctional institutions with special conditions of activity №1, Board of the federal service of punishment execution in Perm region”, we examined 87 prisoners belonging, in accordance with the prison hierarchy, to the categories of “hurt”, “mouzhiks” and “reds”. We used psychodiagnostic questionnaire The Interpersonal Diagnosis of Personality by T. Leary modified by L. N. Sobchik, and Reduced Multiple Questionnaire for Studying of Personality (Mini-Mult). We describe the psychological profiles of prisoners. Of particular interest is a group of “hurt” prisoners. They show intolerance to criticism and overestimation of their own capabilities, a tendency toward power-dominance and dogmatism, resentment, distrust and suspicion. They are characterized by high obedience and dependence on the opinions of others. At the same time, the “hurt” are quite satisfied with their status. In prison, they are afraid of freedom and of being released from prison.