Citation

White TW, Schimmel DJ, Frickey R. J. Correct. Health Care 2002; 9(3): 321-343.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, National Commission on Correctional Health Care (USA), Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/107834580200900308

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study reports the findings of a retrospective analysis of psychological autopsies for all completed suicides in the Bureau of Prisons over a 15-year period. This study represents the most comprehensive data available about prison suicide. The data support the effectiveness of a structured suicide prevention program as well as the utility of psychological autopsies as a method of case review and data collection. Through an analysis of the psychological autopsy data, a number of basic demographic variables common to completed suicides were discovered which might be extrapolated to other prison populations. In addition, this methodology allowed high-risk populations to be identified, and a profile of inmates who committed suicide was constructed. Implications for future assessment and intervention strategies are discussed. © 2002, National Commission on Correctional Health Care. All rights reserved.

Language: en