NCJ Number
211248
Date Published
2005
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This chapter reports on the methodology and finds of an evaluation of suicide factors and prevention in 12 British prisons.
Abstract
The prisons were all local prisons that accommodated inmates on remand and relatively short-stay sentenced prisoners. Ten of the 12 prisons were selected because of their relatively high suicide rates. The 4 sections of the survey addressed demographic and situational data; a list of 109 statements about prison life and quality (agreement or disagreement), an open question about the 3 best and worst things about prison life, and the General Health Questionnaire. Although staff were surveyed, the findings of that survey are not reported in this chapter. A total of 1,301 inmates completed the survey in 2002, and 1,307 inmates completed it in 2004. The study also included a largely qualitative process study, based on observation and interviews, in each prison in the intervening period. Based on the findings, this chapter presents four arguments. First, most theories of prison suicide are vague and take insufficient account of the varying nature of the prison experience. Second, insufficient thought has been given to research methodologies in this complex field. Third, a significant contribution to prisoner distress, and therefore suicide, is due to the uneven experiences of unfairness, disrespect, and lack of inmate safety. Fourth, suicide prevention efforts should be guided by an appreciation of the role of the moral climate of prisons, particularly as it affects feelings of safety among staff and inmates. 3 tables, 3 figures, 16 notes, and 77 references