Critical Issues - Suicide in Correctional Settings

Prison Suicide: Rates and Prevention Policies

Lindsay M. Hayes

Historically, little is known about the issue of prison suicide, a research topic that has been characterized as a victim of relative neglect in criminology and corrections (Austin and Unkovic 1977). Recently, the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives (NCIA) completed a monograph on prison suicide for the National Institute of Corrections. The 108-page monograph, Prison Suicide: An Overview and Guide to Prevention, presents a thorough discussion of the literature, a review of national and state standards for prison suicide prevention, national data on the incidence and rate of prison suicide, effective prison suicide prevention programs and a discussion of liability issues (Hayes 1995). Summarized in the article are key findings related to suicide rates and prevention.

Suicide in Correctional Settings