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Preventing Suicide in Prison: A Collaborative Responsibility of Administrative, Custodial, and Clinical Staff

Dr. Daniel is Director of Psychiatric Services for the Missouri Department of Corrections by contract, Jefferson City, MO, and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Address correspondence to: Anasseril E. Daniel, MD, Daniel Correctional Psychiatric Services, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 115, Columbia, MO 65203

Suicide is a sentinel event in prison, and preventive efforts reflect the adequacy and comprehensiveness of mental health, psychiatric, custodial, and administrative services in a correctional system. This article reviews the literature on suicide in prison during the past three decades and identifies the pattern and occurrence of risk factors. These risk factors are classified as demographic, institutional, and clinical. Based on this review, the author outlines specific administrative, custodial, and clinical steps and procedures that form the basis of a comprehensive suicide-prevention program that can be implemented in small and large systems. The author recognizes the limitations of staff availability, the budget constraints, and the ineffectiveness of efforts to prevent suicides that occur without any warning. Ultimately, a prevention program is the collective responsibility of administrative, custodial, and clinical staff.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Baillargeon, J. V. Penn, C. R. Thomas, J. R. Temple, G. Baillargeon, and O. J. Murray Psychiatric Disorders and Suicide in the Nation's Largest State Prison System J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, June 1, 2009; 37(2): 188 - 193. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. E. Daniel Care of the Mentally Ill in Prisons: Challenges and Solutions J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, December 1, 2007; 35(4): 406 - 410. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. R. Felthous and C. E. Holzer III Commentary: Carceral Suicides--Some Exceptions and Paradoxes J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, June 1, 2006; 34(2): 176 - 178. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]