NCJ Number
229225
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 81-96
Date Published
January 2010
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined demographic, health functioning, and criminogenic correlates of inmate self-injurious behaviors (SIB).
Abstract
Findings support the hypothesis that self-injuring inmates had a specific demographic profile when compared to non-self-injuring inmates. The study found that inmates whose SIB was reported at the institutional level were more likely to be younger, be male, be White, have less education, be single, and have no children compared to noninjuring inmates. Findings also support the hypothesis that self-injuring inmates were at increased risk of health deficits that consume institutional resources. Assessments of health functioning indicate that incarcerated self-injurers were at increased risk of comorbidity. The hypothesis that self-injuring inmates display more deviant and criminal behaviors than non-self-injuring inmates was partially supported, with the caveat that these differences were statistically significant only for variables relating to postincarceration and not for variables relating to preincarceration. Despite study limitations, the study identified statistically significant differences between inmates who self-injure and inmates with no reported self-injury events by age, race, mental health treatment, institutional restriction, number of disciplinary incidents, and time served. Research has defined SIB as "the deliberate destruction or alteration of body tissue without conscious suicidal intent." As self-injury becomes increasingly recognized as a major problematic behavior within the correctional population, it is imperative that interventions are evidence-based. This study compared inmates who have documented self-injury episodes to inmates without documented self-injury episodes, and key risk factors were identified. Tables, figures, notes, and references