NCJ Number
103856
Journal
Journal of Prison and Jail Health Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall/ Winter 1985) Pages: 82-93
Date Published
1985
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Suicide has been referred to as the 'number one killer of jail inmates.' This study aims to examine prison suicide in a three-fold manner: (1) to identify suicide patterns within the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) from 1980 to 1985; (2) to compare those patterns with what is already known about jail suicides, and (3) to develop policies for the identification, prevention and management of possible suicidal inmates.
Abstract
The crude suicide rate of the 38 inmates on this study is about one and one half times that of the general population. The mean age at the time of death was 29.9 years. All 38 of the victims were male. Six were black, 20 were white, and the remaining 12 were Hispanic. Only 6 of the victims were married, while 20 were single. 10 were divorced, and the rest had common law relationships. The investigators found that the largest percentage of the victims were Catholic (44.7 percent). The results showed no correlation with respect to offense type, but most victims had been charged with a 'nonviolent' crime. 5 tables, 8 notes, and 36 references.