Contactless monitoring to prevent self-harm and suicide in custodial settings: Protocol for a global scoping review

Self-harm and suicide are major contributors to the global burden of disease and people in custodial settings are at a markedly increased risk of these adverse outcomes. Contactless monitoring technology is emerging as a possible solution to prevent self-harm and suicide by detecting and predicting vulnerabilities among people at increased risk in custodial settings in realtime, however no reviews to date have synthesized the evidence base, in the custodial context, regarding (a) the extent to which this technology has been implemented; and (b) the acceptability and feasibility of its application among custodial staff, specifically in relation to maintaining the wellbeing and safety of both incarcerated people and custodial professionals.

Our scoping review will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. We searched key electronic health and social science databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest and Google Scholar) on 5 February 2024 for peer-reviewed studies, which report on the use of contactless monitoring in custodial settings. Any type of study design was eligible, and the publication format was not limited. We included quantitative peer-reviewed journal articles, all types of reviews (narrative, systematic and meta-analysis) and did not apply study eligibility restrictions on country of origin. We will also search grey literature. Inclusion of publications will be restricted to the English language.

This review does not require institutional ethics review or approval as it is a review of studies that have already been granted relevant ethics approval. Our dissemination strategy includes a peer-reviewed publication and presentations at relevant national and international academic conferences. A plain language summary will be distributed through consumers and professional networks.