Self-harm in prisoners

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Criminology

Background:

• Self-harm, defined as non-suicidal repetitive injurious behavior, is a growing concern in correctional facilities.
• This behavior is understudied within prison populations, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate demographic, psychosocial, and clinical variables associated with self-harm in male prisoners.
• To identify risk factors contributing to self-harm in a high-risk incarcerated sample.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 1,555 male prisoners was interviewed regarding their history of self-mutilation, psychiatric, and forensic backgrounds.
• Participants completed standardized psychological assessments including the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Eighteen percent of the surveyed prisoners reported a history of self-harm.
• Individuals with a history of self-harm were more likely to report childhood trauma, be unmarried, have prior imprisonments, exhibit substance abuse, have attempted suicide, and display violent tendencies.

Conclusions:

• Self-harm is common among prisoners, affecting nearly 20% of the sample.
• The behavior is multi-factorial, influenced by developmental, socio-demographic, psychiatric, and personality determinants.
• Self-harm is significantly associated with violence, substance abuse, and suicide attempts, highlighting critical challenges in correctional environments.