The Mortality of Young Offenders Sentenced to Prison and its Association With Psychiatric Disorders: a Register Study

The nationwide mortality in Finland of young offenders sentenced to prison was studied. All offenders sentenced to prison between 1984-2000 & aged 15-21 years when the crime was committed were selected for this study. By the end of the follow-up period, 435 (11.4%) of the study population had died. 148 of these deaths were by suicide. Hospitalizations for psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with an elevated risk of death for young prisoners. Hospitalization for emotional disorders with childhood or adolescent onset were associated with a lower risk of death. (20 refs.)