Death by hunger strike: suicide or not?

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychiatry
• Medical Ethics
• Criminology

Background:

• Hunger striking in correctional facilities is common.
• Inmates often use hunger strikes to protest conditions or make demands.
• The intent behind hunger strikes is often debated, particularly regarding suicidal ideation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if deaths resulting from hunger strikes can be classified as suicide.
• To explore the concept of conditional intention in understanding hunger strikers' motivations.
• To discuss the implications for assessing suicidal intent and the role of mental health professionals.

Main Methods:

• Review of established definitions of suicide and suicidal intent.
• Analysis of case studies and philosophical arguments related to self-starvation.
• Development of the concept of conditional intention.

Main Results:

• Some deaths by hunger strike meet the criteria for suicide.
• Conditional intention provides a framework for understanding the nuanced motivations of hunger strikers.
• The assessment of suicidal intent in hunger strikers requires careful consideration of their conditional intentions.

Conclusions:

• Deaths from hunger strikes can be legally and ethically classified as suicides.
• Conditional intention is a valuable concept for mental health professionals assessing risk in hunger strikers.
• Mental health providers have a duty to prevent suicide, even in cases involving hunger strikes.