Non-suicidal self-harm in prison: A national population-based study.

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Forensic Psychiatry

Background:

• Incarcerated populations exhibit elevated self-harm risks.
• Limited national data exist on self-harm rates and risk factors within correctional facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence and identify risk factors for self-harm among prisoners.
• To analyze self-harm rates and predictors stratified by sex.

Main Methods:

• A national population-based study utilizing Israel Prison Service data from 2009-2015.
• Inclusion of 263,794 incarcerated individuals, with self-harm data from real-time observations.
• Statistical analysis using Poisson regression to estimate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for identified covariates.

Main Results:

• A total of 1761 inmates (0.7%) self-harmed during the study period.
• Key risk factors associated with self-harm included prison misconduct, violent behavior, and verbal threats of self-harm.
• These associations were statistically significant across the total population, and for both male and female inmates.

Conclusions:

• Prison misconduct, violent behavior, and threats of self-harm are significant predictors of self-harm.
• Identifying these in-custody risk factors can inform immediate risk assessment and prevention strategies for self-harm in correctional settings.