Encyclopedia of Psychology and Law

DDeemmooggrraapphhiicc FFaaccttoorrss

During the last couple of decades, predominantly

descriptive research has linked prisoner’s age with

suicidal risk. Generally, the research has suggested

that younger age groups (e.g., approximately under

the age of 30 years) are overrepresented in suicide

completer samples. However, a couple of recent and

more methodologically sound research studies have

challenged this conclusion, suggesting that either no

relationship exists or that older age (i.e., 40 years and

above) is predictive of prisoner suicide. More research

will be required to clarify predictive relationships

between age and prisoner suicide. A relatively new

result provided by one of these recent studies was

identifying homelessness as a predictive factor. It is

worth mentioning that many descriptive studies have

examined marital status as a correlate of prisoner sui-

cide. These results have been equivocal and not uni-

formly supported by the recent better-quality

research.

HHiissttoorriiccaall FFaaccttoorrss

The research has been fairly convincing that both

the presence of a psychiatric history (typically broadly

defined in prisoner suicide research) and a history of

substance abuse are connected to an increased risk of

prisoner suicidality. Recent research using the

matched control methodology and/or logistic regres-

sion analyses has supported these predictive relation-

ships. Some research suggests that recent psychiatric

contact or intervention may possess additional predic-

tive power. Results from the larger body of suicide

research have revealed the increased risk generated by

a family history of suicide. In particular, a genetic

component has been attributed as partly responsible

for the relationship. Individuals with first-degree rela-

tives (i.e., parents, siblings) who committed suicide

are at greater risk for committing suicide. This risk

becomes more elevated if the relative suffered from a

mood disorder (i.e., depression, bipolar disorder).

Given this research, it is important to consider this

factor in assessing prisoner suicidality.

CCrriimmiinnaalliittyy FFaaccttoorrss

Several criminality factors are linked with greater

risk of prisoner suicidality. These include sentence

length, time served in sentence, security level, crimi-

nal history, and institutional adjustment. In terms of a

prisoner’s sentence length, generally prisoners with

lengthier sentences are disproportionately represented

among prisoner suicides. In particular, those prisoners

with life or indefinite sentences may be at higher risk.

The amount of time served in one’s sentence is also

linked to prisoner suicide but not as definitively as sen-

tence length. Generally, prisoners who commit suicide

do so earlier in their sentences (within approximately

the first 2 years of being sentenced). A prisoner’s secu-

rity level appears to be relevant to suicidal risk. A lim-

ited amount of recent research, some of which has used

logistic regression, has revealed an overrepresentation

of higher security prisoners (i.e., maximum security

level) among suicide completers and attempters.

Recent more methodologically sound research has indi-

cated that several characteristics of prisoner criminal

history are linked with suicidal risk. In one study, sui-

cide attempters were more likely to have current con-

victions for homicide, break and enter, or robbery.

Consistent with that result were two studies that found

having a current violent offense was more predictive of

suicide completers. In addition, prisoners with a history

of prior criminal involvement (variously defined as

prior offense[s], prior incarceration) were more likely

to attempt or commit suicide. One study found that sui-

cide completers and attempts were more likely to have

had breach of trust offenses (i.e., escapes, violations of

parole or probation). Finally, limited recent research

using comparison groups and logistic regression found

that both suicide completers and attempters had

demonstrated negative institutional adjustment (e.g.,

institutional violence, contraband violations, substance

abuse incidents, escape, requests for protective cus-

tody). Prisoners with a history of contraband-related

incidents were three times more likely to attempt sui-

cide. Those with a disciplinary history were 19 times

more likely to engage in a suicide attempt. Both suicide

completers and attempters participated in correctional

programs less than nonattempters.

CClliinniiccaall FFaaccttoorrss

In addition to assessing the risk factors characteris-

tic of suicidal prisoners, there is a fundamental role for

the assessment of relevant generic clinical factors as

part of the suicide assessment. In other words, a good

assessment of prisoner suicidality is predicated on con-

ducting a competent clinical assessment. In fact, there

are several salient clinical factors that require particular

attention. Clinical domains and factors important to the

782 ———Suicide Assessment and Prevention in Prisons

S-Cutler (Encyc)-45463.qxd 11/18/2007 12:44 PM Page 782