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. 2020 Jul;26(3):279-291.
doi: 10.1177/1078345820939512. Epub 2020 Jul 31.

Suicides Among Incarcerated Persons in 18 U.S. States: Findings From the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003-2014

Kristiana J Dixon  1 , Allison M Ertl  1 , Rachel A Leavitt  1 , Kameron J Sheats  1 , Katherine A Fowler  1 , Shane P D Jack  1
Affiliations

Suicides Among Incarcerated Persons in 18 U.S. States: Findings From the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003-2014

Kristiana J Dixon et al. J Correct Health Care. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (2003-2014), this study examined the characteristics and contributing circumstances of suicides in correctional facilities. χ2 and logistic regression analyses revealed that, compared to nonincarcerated suicide decedents, incarcerated suicide decedents had significantly lower odds of positive toxicology for substances but significantly higher odds of substance abuse problems. Descriptive subanalyses indicated that incarcerated suicide decedents often were incarcerated for personal crimes. They often died ≤ 1 week of incarceration, in a cell (frequently single-person or segregation), by hanging, using bedding material. Positive toxicology was more common for incarcerated decedents who died shortly after versus later in their incarceration. Findings highlight the need for enhanced detection and treatment of suicidal behavior, especially during early and vulnerable periods of incarceration.

Keywords: incarceration; inmate; jail; prison; suicide.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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