@article{ref1,
title="The relevance of suicidal behaviour in jail and prison suicides",
journal="European psychiatry",
year="2003",
author="Fruehwald, Stefan and Frottier, Patrick and Matschnig, Teresa and Eher, Reinhard",
volume="18",
number="4",
pages="161-165",
abstract="PURPOSE: Suicide rates in correctional institutions have been increasing during the last decades. There has been little interest in whether suicidal ideation and intent has been documented by non-medical prison staff (reports of attempted suicide, suicide threats, self-harm), and whether these signs of suicidality had the consequence of adequate intervention efforts. METHODS: The personal files of inmates who committed suicide in the 29 Austrian jails and prisons during the last 25 years (1975-1999) were included. We analysed personal characteristics, criminological data, circumstances of custody and information about psychiatric disorders and treatment. RESULTS: Of a total of 250 suicides, 220 personal files were available and included. Suicide attempts were known in 50% of all suicides and 37% had expressed suicidality. In >20%, non-medical staff had documented signs of suicidality, but no further preventive action (e.g. referral to psychiatric care) had taken place. CONCLUSION: Signs of suicidality play an important role in vulnerability profiles for jail and prison suicides and should have the minimal consequence of further psychiatric care.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0924-9338",
doi="10.1016/s0924-9338(03)00064-6",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0924-9338(03)00064-6"
}