America’s Jails in Crisis: Study Identifies Those at Risk of Suicide Behind Bars
Florida Atlantic UniversityIn America’s jails, suicide is the leading cause of death – nearly three times higher than in prisons or the general public. Researchers have long recognized the shock and lack of control associated with circumstances and surroundings in jail, however, the extent to which these experiences culminate in a propensity for suicide and self-harm (SSH) remains understudied. A study is the first to examine the risk factors for attempting and threatening SSH in a large metropolitan jail. Among the results: those in protective custody are seven times more likely to threaten and/or attempt SSH; the threat is 61 percent greater for first-time inmates; and the rate is 64 percent lower for males vs. females – individuals had a similar risk regardless of their age or race.