Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T15:12:05.378Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Prison Suicide in England and Wales, 1972–87

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Enda Dooley
Enda Dooley*
Affiliation:
The Maudsley Hospital, Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG11 7EG
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The case notes of 295 suicides (98.3% of the total) in prisons in England and Wales between 1972 and 1987 were studied. This period has witnessed an increase in the suicide rate far in excess of the rate of rise in the prison population. The most common method of suicide was by hanging, usually at night. There was a frequent past history of psychiatric treatment and self-injury. People charged or convicted of violent or sexual offences were over-represented, as were those serving life sentences. There was an association between suicide and both guilt for the offence and being charged or convicted of a homicide offence. Some suicides occurred many years after reception into prison. Routine enquiry about previous suicide attempts must be implemented, along with better, ongoing, active communication between staff and inmates.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 156 , Issue 1 , January 1990 , pp. 40 - 45
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Backett, S. A. (1987) Suicide in Scottish prisons. British Journal of Psychiatry, 151, 218–221.Google Scholar
Burtch, B. & Ericson, R. (1979) The Silent System: An Inquiry into Prisoners Who Suicide. Toronto: Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto.Google Scholar
Charle, S. (1981) Suicide in the cellblocks. Corrections Magazine, August, 6–16.Google Scholar
Correctional Service of Canada (1981) The Prevention of Suicide in Prison (Training Manual). Ottawa: Medical and Health Care Services, The Correctional Service of Canada.Google Scholar
Danto, B. L. (1973) Jail House Blues. Michigan: Epic Publications.Google Scholar
Finnerty, J. P. (1981) Suicide Prevention in Correctional Facilities (Manual). New York: Sheriffs Office, Suffolk County.Google Scholar
Freud, S. (1917) Mourning and melancholia. In Complete Psychological Works, standard edn, vol. 14. London: Hogarth Press.Google Scholar
Gunn, J., Robertson, G., Dell, S., et al (1978) Psychiatric Aspects of Imprisonment. London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Hankoff, L. D. (1980) Prisoner suicide. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 24, 162–166.Google Scholar
Hayes, L. M. (1983) And darkness closes in … a national study of jail suicides. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 10, 461–484.Google Scholar
Home Office (1984) Suicide in Prison. A Report by H. M. Chief Inspector of Prisons. London: Home Office.Google Scholar
Home Office (1986) Report of the Working Group on Suicide Prevention. London: Home Office.Google Scholar
Home Office (1988) Report by H. M. Chief Inspector of Prisons on the Risley Remand Centre. London: Home Office.Google Scholar
McClure, G. M. G. (1987) Suicide in England and Wales, 1975–1984. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 309–314.Google Scholar
Phillips, M. (1986) A Study of Suicide and Attempted Suicides at HMP Brixton, 1973–1983. London: Directorate of Psychological Services, Home Office.Google Scholar
Scottish Home And Health Department (1985) Report of the Review of Suicide Precautions at H. M. Detention Centre and H. M. Young Offenders Institution, Glenochil. Edinburgh: HMSO.Google Scholar
Stone, W. E. (1984) Jail suicide. Corrections Today, 46, 84–87.Google Scholar
Taylor, P. J. & Gunn, J. (1984) Violence and psychosis. I - Risk of violence among psychotic men. British Medical Journal, 288, 1945–1949.Google Scholar
Topp, D. O. (1979) Suicide in prison. British Journal of Psychiatry, 134, 24–27.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.