Suicide in custody

Abstract

Suicide in prison is a major concern. Previous research showed that the factors associated with prison suicide were being white, male, and on remand. The most common method was asphyxiation, and around half of the suicides occurred in the first month of imprisonment. Most individuals had a history of drug and/or alcohol misuse, had received a psychiatric diagnosis at reception into prison, and several prisoners had secondary diagnoses, suggesting complex mental health needs. The current prison suicide prevention policy aims to monitor risk and plan the care of at-risk individuals using the Assessment, Care in Custody, Teamwork (ACCT) plan, which was fully implemented across the whole prison estate in 2007. The ACCT plan ensures a fast first response and the provision of flexible individual care. It is supported by improved staff training in assessing and understanding at-risk prisoners. The recent changes to policies regarding deaths in custody may influence a reduction in rates of suicide. As these changes have been fully implemented only relatively recently, it may be some time before their impact is reflected in the rates.