NEW YORK CITY - SUICIDE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION IN PRISON

• NCJ Number: 6526
• Journal: PROBATION AND PAROLE Issue: 4 Dated: (SUMMER 1972) Pages: 20-29
• Author(s): F J TRACY
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: New York State
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DISCUSSION OF MOTIVATIONS BEHIND PRISONER SUICIDES, PARTICULARLY IN NEW YORK CITY, WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR THE DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF POTENTIAL SUICIDES.

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE REVIEWS VARIOUS THEORIES OF PRISONER SUICIDE AND DISCUSSES THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL MOST PRONE TO SUICIDE, TIME OF SUICIDE IN RELATION TO THE DURATION OF IMPRISONMENT, AND POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE PRISONER'S DECISION TO TAKE HIS LIFE. THE AUTHOR CONCENTRATES ON SUICIDES OCCURRING IN NEW YORK CITY PRISONS. MENTION IS MADE OF THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF SUICIDE AMONG TWO GROUPS - DRUG ADDICTS AND PUERTO RICANS. DETERMINATION OF THE LEVEL OF HYDROCORTICOSTERIODS IN THE PRISONER'S URINE AND USE OF AN ATTITUDINAL SCALE ARE TWO SUGGESTED METHODS OF DETECTING AND, HOPEFULLY, PREVENTING POTENTIAL SUICIDES.