Year: 1999 Source: British Journal of Psychiatry, v.175, (July 1999), p.50-55 SIEC No: 19991033

This article gives an examination of the annual estimated number of UK prison suicides, having taken into account inmatesÕ age, gender, & opioid dependence. The article reports that the Scottish Prison Service can expect 7.1 suicides per annum, & annual totals up to 12 without exacerbation of suicides due to incarceration. For the Prison Service of England & Wales, 19.3 suicides per annum can be expected in prisons. The article advises intervention if prison suicides exceed 12 per annum in Scotland, or 28 in Wales. The article concludes that prisons cannot prevent all suicides but prevention programs can help. (AK)