Characteristics and management of prisoners at risk of suicide behaviour

Author(s): Moodie, E.

Journal/Book: Arch Suicide Res. 1997; 3: Spuiboulevard 50, PO Box 17, 3300 AA Dordrecht, Netherlands. Kluwer Academic Publ. 109-123.

Abstract: This study provides data on the characteristics and management of all prisoners identified at risk of suicidal behaviour over a 12 month period in all Scottish prisons. From a total of 44,093 admissions, 1,984 (4.5%) prisoners were identified at time of reception as 'at risk' while 857 (1.9%) inmates were classified as 'at risk' at some other point during custody. Of those identified 'at risk' at time of reception, 19.1% were retained on suicidal supervision, while 58.2% of those identified 'at risk' during custody were maintained on some form of suicidal supervision. Average length of time kept on strict suicidal supervision for those identified at time of reception was 1.87 days, and for those identified at some other point during custody was 2.59 days. Results are discussed in relation to the problems associated with suicide prediction and prevention in prison settings and the tendency for risk assessment to create significant numbers of false positives at time of reception.

Note: Article Power KG, Univ Stirling, Dept Psychol, Anxiety & Stress Res Ctr, Stirling FK9 4LA, SCOTLAND

Keyword(s): prisoners; suicidal behaviour

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