Year: 1994 Source: Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, v.22, no.4, (1994), p.477-488 SIEC No: 19971387

This article reviews risk factors for jailhouse suicide and then presents various measures that can be implemented to prevent inmate suicides. These include: screening all new inmates & identifying those who are acutely suicidal; providing psychological support; observing the suicidal inmate closely; disarming the suicidal inmate; having clear and consistent procedures; & diagnosing, treating &/or hospitalizing as necessary. The efficacy of suicide prevention in jails is also discussed.