Changes in male suicides in Scottish prisons: 10-year study

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Previous UK prison suicide estimates in 1999 highlighted a tenfold higher suicide rate for opioid users.
• Significant changes in prison demographics and policies have occurred in Scottish prisons since 1999.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate expected male suicides in Scottish prisons from 1994-2003, accounting for age and opioid dependency.
• To analyze suicide trends at the extremes of prisoner age groups.

Main Methods:

• Calculated expected suicides by multiplying opioid-dependent inmate numbers by 10 and adding other inmates.
• Applied age-specific suicide rates for Scottish males to these adjusted population figures.
• Compared observed suicides with age- and opioid-adjusted expectations.

Main Results:

• From 1994-1998, observed suicides (57) exceeded expectations (41).
• From 1999-2003, observed suicides (51) were consistent with expectations (limit 54).
• Significant discrepancies were noted at age extremes: 40 suicides in 15-24 year olds (v. 24 expected) and 13 in 45+ year olds (v. 2 expected) over the decade.

Conclusions:

• Scotland has successfully reduced excess male suicides in prisons.
• The reduction is particularly notable among the youngest prisoner demographic.