Prevention of Suicides in the Dutch Criminal Justice System (IN: Deaths of Offenders: the Hidden Side of Justice)

The high suicide rate in the early stages of confinement are discussed. Then, explanations for the higher suicide rates in police custody than in prison are given, citing statistics from The Netherlands. Current suicide prevention procedures in Dutch police stations & houses of detention are listed. Advice for screening detainees for suicide risk, and monitoring procedures to follow, are provided. The author discusses removing suicidal instruments & providing psychological support for detainees.