NCJ Number
79194
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: (August 1981) Pages: 6-16
Date Published
1981
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article discusses inmate characteristics and circumstances associated with inmate suicides and examines aspects of an effective jail suicide prevention strategy.
Abstract
While there are no accurate statistics on the number of jail inmate suicides per year, a reasonable estimate is 1,000, based on a national study of jail suicides by the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives. Suicidal inmates tend to be alcohol abusers, with many committing suicide while still under the influence of alcohol, and young adult males. Most suicides occur within 12 hours of the inmate's having been admitted, and hanging is the preferred method. Most successful jail suicide prevention programs include (1) proper training of officers and medical staff to recognize and respond to potentially suicidal inmates; (2) the establishment of systems within the jail that identify inmates needing special attention, including intake and diagnostic procedures and special programs for youths and alcoholics; (3) medical and psychological programs that allow the staff to have quick and easy access to their patients; (4) interior jail design that does not lend itself to easy suicides; and (5) formal investigations of all suicides to determine any accountability for lapses in security and judgement and to identify the system's flaws. The implementation of these aspects of prevention programs is described for various jails.