Suicide Prevention In Prisons Research Articles

Elements of State and Federal Prison Suicide Prevention and Response Policies

There are no mandatory national standards for custodial suicide prevention and response programs in the United States. While some professional organizations do offer accreditation, those programs are optional. Recent research on jails found that most facilities have formal suicide prevention policies, but they differ in their comprehensiveness. Little is known about the elements of state and federal prison suicide prevention policies. This study involves an analysis of state- and federal-level department of corrections suicide prevention and response policies. Elements of each jurisdiction’s policies were compared against a list of best practices, developed by professional organizations and correctional suicide scholars, for suicide prevention and response. Results revealed that, on average, department policies contain about half of the recommended elements, and that some policies, including those that could improve the culture of each institution, are not included in most departmental policy documents.

Prisoners on prisons: Experiences of peer-delivered suicide prevention work

Prison suicide is a global concern, with rates consistently exceeding those in non-incarcerated populations. Prisoners deliver (suicide prevention) initiatives in jurisdictions around the world. As part of a research project seeking to foreground prisoner voices in criminological knowledge, former prisoners and academics coproduced an innovative, retrospective examination of peer-delivered prison suicide prevention in England. Our collaborative, autoethnographic research design involved focus group discussions and co-authored outputs. We offer fresh perspectives on peer-delivered suicide prevention, revealing overlooked limitations including traumatisation through ‘volunteering’. Findings include: the riskiness of prison peer support; inconsistencies in training and conditions; the importance of (supported) peer provision; and proposals for safer service development.

Feeling hopeful: can hope and social support protect prisoners from suicide ideation?

ABSTRACTSuicide is a major concern in custodial settings with prisoners identified as a high risk group. Much previous research is limited to focussing upon factors associated with increased likelihood of suicide. The current study investigates the potentially protective factors of hope and social support in a sample of 100 suicidal prisoners. Hope, especially the sub-component of agency thinking, and the perceived availability of social support were significantly related with lower levels of suicidal ideation. Prison suicide prevention efforts may benefit from incorporating hope focussed assessments and treatments. They should also consider an individual’s need for increased availability of social support.

Murderers or thieves at risk? Offence-related suicide rates in adolescent and adult prison populations

PurposePrisoners have a higher risk of suicide compared to non-incarcerated individuals. One aim of suicide prevention for prisoners is to identify risk factors in order to put stronger support mechanisms in place for the more vulnerable detainees. This study investigates the suicide risk (SR) in offence-related sub-populations in a representative German sample and differentiates between SR for adolescent and adult prisoners.MethodsConducting a national study with data from public German records on the entire prison population from 2000 to 2016 and suicide numbers in German prisons in the same period, SR was calculated for the total male prison population as well as for both subgroups, adolescent and adult male prisoners.ResultsIn the study period, male prisoners spent 959.584 life years (LY) in German criminal detention. Among those, 524 prisoners died of suicide. SR was higher for detainees imprisoned for an offence resulting in extensive physical harm for another person, e.g. homicide (suicide rate = 134,8 suicides per 100.000 LY; OR = 2,47; CI95%: 1,98–3,08), bodily injury (suicide rate = 87,3; OR = 1,60; CI95%: 1,29–1,99), and sexual offences (suicide rate = 84,2; OR = 1,54; CI95%: 1,18–2,01) compared with the SR of the total prison population (suicide rate = 54.6). Age differences between offence-related SR were found for theft, with adolescents (suicide rate = 69,3; OR = 1,25; CI95%: 0,85–1,84) showing higher SR than adults (suicide rate = 38,2; OR = 0,7; CI95%: 0,54–0,92).ConclusionThe index offence of detainees is associated with SR and age-related differences exist. Suicide prevention in prisons should take both into account to determine populations at risk.

Characteristics of patients with mental disorders in a Slovene prison: A retrospective observational naturalistic study

Background and objectivesThe prevalence of mental disorders in EU prisons is high. Little is known about provision of care in Eastern and Central European countries, particularly in former Yugoslavian countries. The aim of this study was to assess diagnoses, characteristics and care provision of prisoners diagnosed with mental disorders in the psychiatric outpatient clinic in the biggest Slovene male prison Dob. MethodsPrison psychiatrist collected data on psychiatric diagnosis, suicide rates and care provision from patients’ medical records and charts. In addition, interviews were performed with leading representatives of service organization, members of staff working in psychiatric outpatient clinic, and prison guards. ResultsOut of 520 prisoners, 220 (42.3%) were involved in treatment in psychiatric outpatient clinic and all were included in this research. The data were gathered in 2016. The most prevalent diagnosis was addiction disorder in 82.7% (182) of all patients. Out of them only 24 (10.9%) were diagnosed with alcohol addiction. 94 prisoners (42.7%) were on substitution therapy because of drug addiction. The point prevalence of psychotic disorders was 7.3%, 10.0% for mood disorders and 15.9% for anxiety disorders. Personality disorders were diagnosed in 19.5% of all patients. Co-morbidity was diagnosed in 80 patients (36.4%). There were no suicides in the prison Dob in the period between 2012 and 2016. In this period strong and systematic anti-suicide measures have been already established and applied in the prison. The prison suicide prevention plan is described. ConclusionsThe prevalence of addiction disorders in Slovene prison is high. Absence of suicides in the four year period indicates that quality of suicide prevention measures in prison Dob.

Improving the quality of prison research: A qualitative study of ex-offender service user involvement in prison suicide prevention research.

BackgroundSuicide is the leading cause of avoidable death in prisons worldwide and suicide prevention is an international priority. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop evidence‐based treatments. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a novel suicide prevention psychological therapy for male prisoners. To promote ecological validity by addressing the “real‐world” situation of suicidal prisoners, we involved a consultant group of ex‐offenders with past experience of being suicidal during imprisonment. Service user involvement in prison research is challenging and underdeveloped.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the ex‐offender service user consultants’ experiences of being involved in the research.DesignIndividual qualitative interviews were conducted and analysed using an Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis (IPA) framework.Setting/participantsThe study was conducted at a university in North England, UK, comprising four ex‐offenders with experience of being suicidal during past imprisonments.ResultsTwo superordinate themes were identified: “Working Together” depicted participants’ perceptions of the pivotal role of good relationships with researchers, and “Journey of Change” outlined how participants’ involvement in the research impacted on their personal lives.DiscussionLittle is known about how to successfully involve ex‐offender service users in research. Our results indicate the conditions necessary for successfully engaging ex‐offender service users in research and have important implications for improving the quality of prison research.ConclusionsInvolving forensic service users in research is feasible and should be encouraged, as despite certain challenges, it is highly rewarding both for the research and the ex‐offender service users.

Male suicide rates in German prisons and the role of citizenship.

PurposePrisoners are at a particularly high risk of suicide. In contrast to other psychosocial risk factors it remains unclear to what degree the risk of suicide differs between prisoners with local citizenship and foreigners. In order to provide more detailed information for suicide prevention in prisons, this study aims to compare suicide rates (SR) between these populations in German criminal custody.MethodsBased on a German national database of completed suicide in custody, suicides by prisoners were analysed and compared with epidemiological data of the prison population and the general population, stratified for German and foreign citizenship. Data analysis was adjusted for differences in the age distribution of both populations by calculating standard mortality ratios (SMR) for suicide.ResultsSR were higher in prisoners with German citizenship than those with foreign citizenship (SR = 76.5 vs. SR = 42.8, P<0.01). This association was not specific to the prison population, as the higher SR in citizens compared to non-citizens (SR = 19.3 vs. SR = 9.0, P<0.01) were also found in the general population. The association between prison suicide and citizenship was comparable in juvenile and adult prisoners, indicating its relevance to both the juvenile and adult detention systems.ConclusionImprisonment is associated with a substantially increased risk of suicide in both German and non-German citizens, a finding which needs to be taken into consideration by the justice system. The lower suicide risk in non-German citizens is independent of whether or not they are in custody.

Shifting the paradigm of prison suicide prevention through enhanced multi-agency integration and cultural change

This study examines an unusually sustained reduction in suicide rates in a local London prison during the three year period 2008–2011. The likelihood of this reduction taking place by chance was <2:100,000, and its perceived success was such that the prison service recommended an evaluation of its characteristics. This study arose from that recommendation, and it used a retrospective case study multi-method approach (including factor identification, qualitative interviews and triangulation with official documentation) to identify factors which had been associated with the reduced suicide rates. The results endorsed a number of factors which have already been internationally identified as best practice, along with some local innovation factors. Two further pivotal factors emerged through analysis, and they are the key to service improvements. These factors – senior management support for cultural change and cross-professional collaborative working – indicate that positive leadership and multi-agency integration are vital ingredients.

Preventing self-harm and suicide in prisoners: job half done

Preventing self-harm and suicide in prisoners: job half done

The suicidal process in male prisoners making near-lethal suicide attempts

Most investigations of factors contributing to prisoner suicide have focused on suicidal behaviour as a discrete event and used official records or ‘psychological autopsy’ methodology. A potentially more informative approach is to study survivors of near-lethal suicide attempts about their suicidal process. We have investigated the suicidal process in male prisoners through semi-structured interviews with 60 prisoners who made near-lethal suicide attempts. The suicide attempts often followed adverse life events (especially broken relationships or bereavement), criminal justice/prison-related factors (e.g. concerns about sentencing) and psychiatric or psychological factors (e.g. drug/alcohol withdrawal, depression/anxiety and hearing voices). The majority of prisoners said they intended to die (73%), although many acts had been impulsive (40%). Most described visual images about their suicidal acts (82%). Limited access to methods of suicide had clearly influenced method choice (most commonly hanging/ligaturing 67%), along with expectations about the anticipated speed, painfulness and lethality. Half the prisoners believed their acts could have been prevented, often with relatively simple solutions. The suicidal process in prisoners is a complex interplay of background factors, adverse life events, mental health and psychological problems and cognitive processes. Understanding and recognising these various aspects of the process is likely to improve suicide prevention in prisons.

The Gender Paradox in Prison Suicide Rates

Few studies of prison suicide have focused on suicide among female inmates, and even fewer studies have provided comparisons of rates by gender. Using national data on U.S. prisons and suicide, this study examined the “gender paradox” in prison suicide rates by comparing suicide rates of female and male inmates and U.S. residents and then examined characteristics of prisons that reported suicides. Findings indicated that rates of suicide in prison were similar for female and male inmates, but rates were higher for female inmates and lower for male inmates compared to the respective rates for female and male U.S. residents. Prisons that reported female suicides evidenced significant differences in prison conditions, including higher assault rates and mental health service utilization, compared to prisons for males and female prisons without suicide. Implications of the findings for understanding the gender paradox and for prison suicide prevention are discussed.

The Role of Loneliness in Prison Suicide Prevention and Management

ABSTRACT Suicide in prisons has been seen as a public health concern reaching crisis proportions around the world. In this study, data from 60 inmates in a South Australian remand facility were used to examine the relationship between loneliness and known predictors of self-harm, such as depression and hopelessness. As predicted, the results suggested that prisoners who scored higher on a measure of loneliness reported higher levels of depression, hopelessness and indicators of suicidal behaviour. The implications of these findings for suicide management are discussed. It is concluded that whilst specialist mental health services are needed to treat problems such as depression, loneliness is something that may be managed by correctional staff with no professional experience or training.

Suicides in male prisoners in England and Wales, 1978–2003

The number of suicides in English and Welsh prisons is increasing, but the excess compared with the general population has not been reliably quantified. We therefore compared, in narrow age bands, all 1312 suicides of male prisoners in England and Wales between 1978 and 2003 with suicide rates in the general male population. The overall standardised mortality ratio for suicide was 5.1 (95% CI, 4.8-5.3), suggesting a five-fold excess of suicides in male prisoners, with a particularly striking excess in boys aged 15-17 years (standardised mortality ratio 18 [13-26]). The proportional excess of suicides of male prisoners has been increasing during the past quarter of a century, which underscores the need for substantial improvements in suicide prevention in prisons.

Suicide prevention in prisons: policy and practice

A detailed overview of policy and practice in suicide prevention in prisons is given, focusing on England and Wales. The current strategy for suicide awareness is outlined and its implementation discussed. Future developments aimed at reducing suicide are reviewed.

National and State Standards for Prison Suicide Prevention: A Report Card

To date, there has been little research generated or resources offered in the area of prison suicide prevention. Aside from a scattering of isolated research studies, the dissemination of informati...

Prison Suicide: An Overview and a Guide to Prevention

Until recently, it has been assumed that suicide, although a problem for jail inmates as they face the initial crisis of incarceration, is not a significant problem for inmates who advance to prison to serve out their sentences. Although the rate of suicide in prisons is far lower than it is in jails, it remains disproportionately higher than that for the general population. To date, little research has been generated and few prevention resources have been offered in this critical area. Aside from a scattering of isolated research studies, the dissemination of information regarding prison suicide has been sporadic at best. This article summarizes the findings from a study conducted by the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives and includes a thorough review of the literature, the most recent national data on the incidence and rate of prison suicide, and an analysis of an effective prison suicide prevention program.

Prison Suicide: An Overview and Guide to Prevention (Part 2) 1Note to the reader: This is the second in a series of columns devoted exclusively to prison suicide. The previous column provided a review of the literature. The next column will address prison suicide rates within the United States. A future column will profile an effective prison suicide prevention program.

ColumnsPrison Suicide: An Overview and Guide to Prevention (Part 2) 1Note to the reader: This is the second in a series of columns devoted exclusively to prison suicide. The previous column provided a review of the literature. The next column will address prison suicide rates within the United States. A future column will profile an effective prison suicide prevention program. - Tenth Column in a Series -Lindsay M HayesLindsay M HayesSearch for more papers by this authorPublished OnlineOctober 11, 2007https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.16.1.9PDFView Full Text ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMore References Anno, BJ Patterns of suicide in the Texas Department of Corrections, 1980-1985. Journal of Prisons and Jail Health , (1985). 5(2) , 82– 93 Google Scholar Batten, PJ The descriptive epidemiology of unnatural deaths in Oregon's state institutions: A 25-year (1963-1987) study. American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology , (1992). 13(2) , 159– 168 Crossref, Google Scholar Bureau of Justice Statistics Correctional populations in the United States, 1991 . Washington, DC: US Department of Justice (1993). Google Scholar California Department of Corrections Suicide prevention in the California Department of Corrections: Annual report - 1993 . Sacramento, CA: Author (1994). Google Scholar Corrections Compendium Survey, inmate escapes, violence and riots . (November 1992). Google Scholar Criminal Justice Institute Corrections yearbook - 1991 . South Salem, NY: Author (1992). Google Scholar Haycock, J Crimes and misdemeanors: A review of recent research on suicides in prison. Omega , (1991). 23(2) , 81– 94 Crossref, Google Scholar Hayes, LM Prison suicide: An overview and guide to prevention . Washington, DC: US Department of Justice (1994). Google Scholar Lester, D Suicide and homicide in USA prisons. Psychological Reports , (1987). 61 , 126– Google Scholar Lester, D Suicide and homicide in US prisons. American Journal of Psychiatry , (1982). 139(11) , 1527– 1528 Crossref, Google Scholar National Center for Health Statistics Advance report of final morality statistics, 1991. NCHS Monthly Vital Statistics Report , (1993). 42(2, Suppl) , – Google Scholar Salive, ME , Smith, GS , Fordham, Brewer T Suicide mortality in the Maryland state prison system, 1979 through 1987. Journal of the American Medical Association , (). 262 , 365– 369 Crossref, Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byIncremental conditions of isolation as a predictor of suicide in prisonersForensic Science International, Vol. 233, No. 1-3Death in correctional facilities: Opportunities for automated external defibrillationResuscitation, Vol. 73, No. 3Impact of overcrowding and legislational change on the incidence of suicide in custodyInternational Journal of Law and Psychiatry, Vol. 25, No. 2Self-injurious behaviour in police custodyJournal of Clinical Forensic Medicine, Vol. 5, No. 1Prevention of Suicides in Penal Institutions in The NetherlandsEric Blaauw, Raphaela M. Carrière, Frans Schilder, and Stef van de Lande1 January 1997 | Crisis, Vol. 18, No. 4 Volume 16Issue 1January 1995ISSN: 0227-5910eISSN: 2151-2396 tabs.informationCrisis (1995), 16, pp. 9-12 https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.16.1.9.© 1995Hogrefe & Huber PublishersPDF download