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The relevance of suicidal behaviour in jail and prison suicides
Stefan Fruehwald1, Patrick Frottier, Teresa Matschnig
1Clinical Department of Social Psychiatry, Vienna University Medical School, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. stefan.fruehwald@univie.ac.at
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.