Citation

Champion MK. J. Am. Acad. Psychiatry Law 2009; 37(2): 194-200.

Affiliation

2442 Cerrillos Road #105, Santa Fe, NM 87505. michaelkchampion@aol.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Publisher American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19535557

Abstract

Suicide is a leading cause of death among prison inmates. A recent study found that nearly half of the inmates who committed suicide in a state prison system during the study period did not have a major mental disorder. This prompts the question of why a person in prison who has no mental illness decides to end his or her life by committing suicide. Stressors associated with maximum security settings that may contribute to the high incidence of suicide found in segregated housing units are explored through a description of the author's experience and inmate anecdotes.

Language: en