Reducing the opportunity for inmate suicide: A design guide

Atlas, Randall

doi:10.1007/bf01064942

Cited by 28 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…This research has reported mixed results. For example, older linear prisons (e.g., rectangular layout) with indirect supervision and less contact between staff and prisoners are associated with more suicide attempts (Atlas, 1989). In addition, "new generation prisons" with non-institutional designs (e.g., bright colors, no bars, and soft materials) and good visibility showed less vandalism (Wener & Olsen, 1980).…”

Section: Prison Layout and Staff-prisoner Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With regard to the year of construction of the prison building, research by Morris and Worral (2010) showed that more property and drug infractions were reported in older prison buildings. With reference to sight lines, prisons with good visual access have been linked to fewer suicide attempts and less vandalism (Atlas, 1989; Wener & Olsen, 1980), but also to more (discovered) prisoner misconduct (Molleman, 2011; Morris & Worral, 2010). Finally, with respect to double bunking, research has shown that double bunking is related to negative mood states among prisoners, less perceived privacy, higher levels of experienced crowding, more health problems, and more misconduct (e.g., Cox, Paulus, & McCain, 1984; Grant & Memmott, 2008; Schaeffer et al, 1988; Wener & Olsen, 1980).…”

Section: Theoretical Framework and Prior Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the widespread belief that prison architecture influences the relationships between staff and prisoners, empirical studies examining this association are scarce. Although several studies have explored how (aspects of) prison architecture affected prisoners’ adjustment (e.g., Atlas, 1989; Grant & Memmott, 2008; Molleman, 2011; Morris & Worral, 2010; Schaeffer, Baum, Paulus, & Gaes, 1988; Wener & Olsen, 1980), few empirical studies have focused on the effects of prison architecture on staff–prisoner relationships. This is regretful, as some authors have suggested that the association between prison architecture and prisoner outcomes (e.g., misconduct and suicide attempts) was mediated by these relationships (e.g., Atlas, 1989; Wener, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A Social Building? Prison Architecture and Staff–Prisoner Relationships

Beijersbergen

Dirkzwager

Laan³

et al. 2014

Crime & Delinquency

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Relationships between correctional officers and prisoners are crucial to life in prison, and affect prison order and prisoners’ well-being. Research on factors influencing staff–prisoner relationships is scarce and has not included the design of prison buildings. This study examined the association between prison architecture and prisoners’ perceptions of their relationships with officers. Data were used from the Prison Project, a large-scale study in which 1,715 prisoners held in 117 units in 32 Dutch remand centers were surveyed. Multilevel analyses showed that prison layout was related to officer–prisoner relationships: Prisoners in panopticon layouts were less positive than prisoners in other layouts. In addition, prisoners housed in older units and in units with more double cells were less positive about officer–prisoner interactions.

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Section: Prison Layout and Staff-prisoner Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Theoretical Framework and Prior Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Social Building? Prison Architecture and Staff–Prisoner Relationships

Beijersbergen

Dirkzwager

Laan³

et al. 2014

Crime & Delinquency

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Observation is an isolating experience that is likely to exacerbate the level of distress and suicidal rumination (Howard League for Penal Reform, 1991). The design and use of observation cells is an attempt to remove the opportunity to self-harm rather than removing the motivation for self-harm or providing the support that would offset this impulse (Atlas, 1989). Staff members are often acutely aware that observation cells contribute to and exacerbate the problems of the distressed prisoner rather than ameliorate hisher concerns.…”

Section: Secondary Preventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The management of suicide and self-harm in prisons: Recommendations for good practice

Howells

Hall

Day

1999

Australian Psychologist

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uicide and self-harm in prisons are serious problems in Australasia and in many other jurisdictions.S Psychologists frequently have a role in advising on, and assisting in, the prevention of such behaviours. Few guidelines and formal statements of good professional practice exist for such work. In this paper we review the published literature and current prevention practices with a view to devising recommendations for good practice in management and prevention.Many people have pointed to the ambivalence that exists in public attitudes to suicide in prisoners. Lester and Danto (1993), for example, have suggested that: many in our society do not consider inmate suicide a problem worthy of concern. They tend to view all inmates as undeserving of sympathy or special help ... the fact is that prisons are part of society and inmates are part of the population ... accepting suicide because someone is a prisoner is a sad mistake (pp. 149-150).Whatever horrors prisoners may individually have perpetrated, they remain human beings vulnerable to the might of the state behind closed walls. The corollary of our deprivation of their liberty is our moral and legal duty for their care. If we deny that then we deny the fundamental tenets of that which we call civilisation (p. 216).

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“…More importantly, with the exception of two cases, correctional staff failed to initiate CPR anytime during the critical period prior to the arrival of medical staff. Finally, it is well established that hazardous cell conditions provide easy accessibility for inmates to commit suicide by hanging and the opportunity to successfully commit suicide is substantially reduced by protrusion-free cell design or renovation (Atlas, 1989;Lester & Danto, 1993). In the present findings, four victims utilized either a light fixture or ceiling air vent as an anchoring device, with open-bar cell fronts used in four other cases.…”

Section: Common Features and Systemic Deficienciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

From chaos to calm: one jail system's struggle with suicide prevention

Hayes

1997

Behav. Sci. Law

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This article profiles the suicide prevention practices at a large metropolitan jail, a facility that experienced nine inmate suicides in a recent 24‐month period. The suicide rate in this facility was found to far exceed the rate for jails of comparable size as well as the national rate of jail suicides. The nine suicides are summarized and common features (including the issue of protective custody) of the deaths and systemic jail deficiencies are discussed. The process by which the jail system developed a suicide prevention program based upon the principles of staff training, identification/screening, communication, levels of supervision, housing, and intervention is offered. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Reducing the opportunity for inmate suicide: A design guide

Cited by 28 publications

References 1 publication

A Social Building? Prison Architecture and Staff–Prisoner Relationships

A Social Building? Prison Architecture and Staff–Prisoner Relationships

The management of suicide and self-harm in prisons: Recommendations for good practice

From chaos to calm: one jail system's struggle with suicide prevention

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