Suicide Risk Factors that Affect Inmates

A recent comprehensive study on custodial suicide risk factors among inmates revealed that the following circumstances can increase the risk of inmate suicide:

• Misidentification of inmates who are potentially suicidal.
• A standard screening questionnaire is not being used in the jail.
• The methods for handling mental health assessment and planning for treatment are inadequate.
• Periodic suicide risk assessments are inadequate or lacking altogether.
• When the inmate enters a jail or prison, psychotropic medications are discontinued.
• Psychiatric and medical records from community sources are not obtained for review by the jail staff. 
• Bridge medications are not provided, such as psychotropic medications. 
• Suicide watch logs are falsified, which indicates that supervision has been inadequate.
•  Detoxification protocols are not implemented.
•  Psychiatric care is delayed.

Understanding Inmate Suicide

Between institutional stress and complexities in the interactions of psychiatric, genetic, psychosocial, and biological factors, inmate suicide is a high risk. Those who commit suicide have numerous differences. For instance, they are from many different backgrounds. They are either in pre-trial detention or they are serving a jail sentence. The coping skills and resources available to the different inmates are different. Numerous studies are needed and helpful in determining why suicide is the number one cause of death among those who are incarcerated.

See Part 1 and Part 2 of this continuing series.

This website is a place where inferences that wrongdoing has occurred on the part of individuals or entities are never intended. Providing helpful resources to benefit inmates currently or previously housed in Texas county jails is the purpose of the posts on this site.

–Guest Contributor