NCJ Number
139215
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 34 Issue: 3-4 Dated: special issue (July-October 1992) Pages: 403-415
Date Published
1992
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Recent inmate suicides by aboriginal women at Canada's Kingston Prison for Women have focused attention on the situation of aboriginal female offenders, and theoretical perspectives are offered to explain the etiology of suicide.
Abstract
Deprivation theory emphasizes the role of the prison environment, while importation theory focuses on individual inmate characteristics. Deprivation theory suggests that institutionalization is responsible for self-destructive behavior on the part of inmates. The importation theory contends that an inmate's experience in prison results from factors external to the correctional facility and that suicide in custody has no direct relation to the prison experience itself. Evidence supporting the deprivation theory deals with social isolation, racism/discrimination, loss of control, and social stigma. Evidence supporting the importation theory is based on precipitating factors in suicide, education, employment, income, violence history, and ethnicity. Suicide by aboriginal women appears to be deeply rooted in their marginal status in society. While this factor does not absolve the correctional system, it does stress the importance of examining life situations in conjunction with the prison experience. A suicide prevention strategy focusing exclusively on institutional reactions will not effectively address the problem of custodial suicide by aboriginal female inmates. Instead, there needs to be a fundamental change in the socioeconomic position and victimization of aboriginal women in society at large. 26 references and 13 notes