Suicide Risk Assessment for Incarcerated Juveniles

Abstract

This paper focuses on the assessment of suicide risk among incarcerated juveniles. A sample of 25 juvenile facility correctional staff identified behavioral, social and emotional cues that may signal serious psychological distress and a heightened suicide risk among incarcerated juveniles. These participants also rated the perceived importance of 21 suicide risk factors for predicting suicide risk among incarcerated juveniles. A brief suicide screening measure for incarcerated juveniles (The Juvenile Suicide Screen) is reviewed. The potential benefits and limitations of the use of the Juvenile Suicide Screen as part of a comprehensive suicide detection and prevention plan in juvenile correctional and detention center settings are discussed. The authors also discuss several clinical issues related to the assessment of suicide risk in these settings.