An ecological study of factors associated with rates of self-inflicted death in prisons in England and Wales

Leese, Morven; Thomas, Stuart; Snow, Louisa

doi:10.1016/j.ijlp.2005.10.004

Cited by 71 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In a prison setting, these may include general aspects of the regime, such as adjustment to the prison situation, loss of freedom, and removal from a familiar environment [9], as well as more specific aspects of prison life, including a lack of purposeful activity (i.e. access to activities to keep occupied such as work or education) [10], withdrawal from drugs or alcohol [4], receiving bad news [11], being in a single cell or in segregation [12], violence and victimization [13], and boredom [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial Characteristics and Social Networks of Suicidal Prisoners: Towards a Model of Suicidal Behaviour in Detention

Rivlin

Hawton²,

Marzano³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

110

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Prisoners are at increased risk of suicide. Investigation of both individual and environmental risk factors may assist in developing suicide prevention policies for prisoners and other high-risk populations. We conducted a matched case-control interview study with 60 male prisoners who had made near-lethal suicide attempts in prison (cases) and 60 male prisoners who had not (controls). We compared levels of depression, hopelessness, self-esteem, impulsivity, aggression, hostility, childhood abuse, life events (including events occurring in prison), social support, and social networks in univariate and multivariate models. A range of psychosocial factors was associated with near-lethal self-harm in prisoners. Compared with controls, cases reported higher levels of depression, hopelessness, impulsivity, and aggression, and lower levels of self-esteem and social support (all p values <0.001). Adverse life events and criminal history factors were also associated with near-lethal self-harm, especially having a prior prison spell and having been bullied in prison, both of which remained significant in multivariate analyses. The findings support a model of suicidal behaviour in prisoners that incorporates imported vulnerability factors, clinical factors, and prison experiences, and underscores their interaction. Strategies to reduce self-harm and suicide in prisoners should include attention to such factors.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial Characteristics and Social Networks of Suicidal Prisoners: Towards a Model of Suicidal Behaviour in Detention

Rivlin

Hawton²,

Marzano³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

110

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For instance, prison inmates exhibit higher rates of major depressive disorder, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, trauma, perpetration of violence in the community, deliberate self-harm, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and previous suicide attempts; all of which are risk factors for suicide in the general population (Baillargeon et al, 2009; Blaauw et al, 2002; Blaauw, Kerkhof, & Hayes, 2005; Black, James, Evan, & Rogers, 2007; Fazel & Baillargeon, 2011; Fazel, Cartwright, Norman-Nott, & Hawton, 2008; Fazel & Danesh, 2002; Mandelli, Carli, Roy, Serretti, & Sarchiapone, 2011; Rivlin, Hawton, Marzano, & Fazel, 2010; Sarchiapone et al, 2009b; Shaw, Baker, Hunt, Moloney, & Appleby, 2004). Additionally, prison inmates are exposed to environmental factors during incarceration that are associated with suicide (Dye, 2010): overcrowding in prisons (Leese, Thomas, & Snow, 2006), isolation and single-cell occupancy (Bonner, 2006), trauma experienced in prison (Blaauw et al, 2002), and long sentences and hopelessness regarding release (Fazel et al, 2008; Fazel, Grann, Kling, & Hawton, 2011). Although identifying the higher prevalence of risk factors in prison populations is informative, such information does not allow for the facilitation of clinical program development that would be expected of invoking a unified theory of suicide.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

An exploratory factor analysis of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale in male prison inmates.

Smith¹,

Wolford‐Clevenger²,

Mandracchia³

et al. 2013

Psychological Services

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Prison inmates are exposed to a number of adverse conditions prior to and during incarceration that place them at risk for suicide. The interpersonal theory of suicide may prove useful in better understanding suicide in prisons, allowing for more effective prevention and treatment programs. However, no studies of the interpersonal theory have been conducted in prison populations. Further, there have been no studies examining the factor structure of the assessment of one of the theory’s main constructs: the acquired capability for suicide. The current study examined the factor structure of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale in a sample of male prison inmates. We found that a four-factor model provided the best statistical and conceptual fit; though, only three of these factors were meaningful with an additional method-factor. The three resulting factors were each associated with previous exposure to painful and provocative events, but none differentiated suicide attempter status. Results suggest that the interpersonal theory has promise in application to suicide in prison populations, but more work is needed to develop a self-report measure of acquired capability, particularly as it relates to prisoners.

show abstract

“…Thomas et al Further environmental considerations relating to the physical structure of prison healthcare centres, which have very little, if any, space readily available for periods of association, are also extremely pertinent (Reed & Lyne, 2000). This, coupled with the effects of overcrowding, has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of suicide in prison (Leese, Thomas, & Snow, 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

How do psychiatric patients on prison healthcare centres differ from inpatients in secure psychiatric inpatient units?

Thomas

McCrone

Fahy

2009

Psychology, Crime & Law

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mentally ill prisoners have consistently been highlighted as a group with complex needs. However, it is not clear what these needs are, how effective prison health services are in meeting the needs of this vulnerable group, and whether there would be any benefit to transferring them to psychiatric facilities. This study compared the characteristics and needs of mentally ill patients in prison healthcare centres (HCC prisoners) with patients in forensic medium secure psychiatric units (MSU inpatients) in the UK. HCC prisoners and MSU inpatients were in fact very similar. Where they did differ, though, was that MSU inpatients were significantly more likely to be of non-white ethnicity, diagnosed with psychotic or substance use disorders, and have recorded histories of drug misuse. HCC prisoners and MSU inpatients reported the same number of needs overall, according to the CANFOR-S (Camberwell Assessment of Need Forensic Short Version), but HCC prisoners reported significantly higher levels of unmet need. The need for transfer to alternative services was common in both groups, with bottlenecks evident at all levels. The high level of unmet need reported in the HCC prison sample is of particular clinical concern and highlights the need for improved assessment and treatment services in this setting.

show abstract

An ecological study of factors associated with rates of self-inflicted death in prisons in England and Wales

Cited by 71 publications

References 7 publications

Psychosocial Characteristics and Social Networks of Suicidal Prisoners: Towards a Model of Suicidal Behaviour in Detention

Psychosocial Characteristics and Social Networks of Suicidal Prisoners: Towards a Model of Suicidal Behaviour in Detention

An exploratory factor analysis of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale in male prison inmates.

How do psychiatric patients on prison healthcare centres differ from inpatients in secure psychiatric inpatient units?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About