Managing to Prevent Prison Suicide: Are Staff at Risk Too? (From Negotiating Responsibility in the Criminal Justice System, P 68-86, 1998, Jack Kamerman, ed. -- See NCJ-179431)

• NCJ Number: 179434
• Author(s): Alison Liebling
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: Southern Illinois University Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article considers prison suicide inquests from the perspective of prison staff.

Abstract

The suicide rate in prisons in England and Wales is between 40 and 80 per 100,000 prisoners, or about four times that of the general population. At least four identifiable factors act to inhibit staff confidence and professionalism in the performance of their duty of care for prisoners, particularly in relation to the suicidal. Each of these factors contributes to a feeling by staff that they are exposed unfairly at inquests: (1) the operational conditions under which they work (overcrowding, high turnover, staff shortages); (2) the conflict many staff perceive between their security and “welfare” responsibilities; (3) the problem of lack of training; and (4) the sense that staff problems are of no concern to others. This sense may contribute to denial and avoidance of prisoner problems or the expression of frustration and other negative attitudes toward prisoners in distress. The article considers staff operational conditions, conflict between custody and care and staff problems and suicides. Table, note, references, cases cited