Year: 2009 Source: Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, v.37, no.2, (2009), p.188-193 SIEC No: 20090188

This study examined the relationship between the overall rate of psychiatric disorders & suicides in the Texas prison population. Data from 234,031 inmates who were incarcerated for any duration between September 2006-September 2007 were analyzed by Poisson regression to assess the independent association of major psychiatric disorders & demographic characteristics with suicide. Across the entire cohort, 41 inmates were reported to have died by suicide during the 12-month follow-up period. 21 of them had a diagnosis of a serious mental illness. The highest overall risk was present in inmates with a nonschizophrenic psychotic disorder. Findings highlight the importance of prevention programs with emphasis on screeening & monitoring of patients with severe psychiatric disorders. (32 refs.)