Suicide in prisons

B. D. Kelly and H. G. Kennedy

National Forensic Psychiatry Service, Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Ireland.

Correspondence: E-mail: brendankelly35{at}hotmail.com

EDITED BY KHALIDA ISMAIL

On 13 January 2004 Dr Harold Shipman, a doctor convicted of murder, was found dead in his prison cell, following apparent self-hanging. Subsequent media reports tended to give considerable detail about the apparent circumstances of his death.

In 1999 there were, on average, 1.8 self-inflicted deaths per week in prisons in England and Wales, yielding a rate of 0.3 per 10 000 prisoners per week (HM Prison Service, 2001). Preliminary data for 2003 are similar, indicating 1.8 apparently self-inflicted deaths (inquests pending) per week (Seenan, 2004). In the week following the death of Dr Shipman, five apparently self-inflicted deaths (inquests pending) were reported in prisons in England and Wales (HM Prison Service Safer Custody Group, personal communication, 2004); this apparent peak, however, is similar to that in a comparable week in January 2003.

In Irish prisons, there were nine apparently self-inflicted deaths (inquests pending) between January 2000 and April 2003, yielding a rate of 0.2 per 10 000 prisoners per week (Bresnihan, 2003). In the week following the death of Dr Shipman, there were two apparently self-inflicted deaths (inquests pending; Brady, 2004), yielding an increased rate of 6.4 per 10 000 prisoners that week (Poisson distribution P=0.0018). While caution must be exercised when interpreting data about rare events, we none the less believe these data merit explanation.

At a population level, one possible explanation relates to prisoners’ average ‘dose’ of exposure to detailed, graphic media coverage of suicidal behaviour, which is known to affect suicidal behaviour in those exposed (the Werther effect). Interestingly, over 90% of prison cells in Ireland have in-cell television, and, while it is difficult to obtain official figures, it appears that the proportion of cells with in-cell television is substantially lower in England and Wales.

As Shaw et al (2004) demonstrate, prison populations often comprise individuals with multiple risk factors for suicide. We suggest that repeated exposure to vivid, detailed accounts of the methods apparently used in high-profile, apparently self-inflicted deaths in prison may be a critical additional risk factor in this population. We renew calls for responsible reporting of suicidal behaviour and for development of improved prison mental health services.

REFERENCES

HM Prison Service (2001) Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm in the Prison Service: An Internal Review. London: HM Prison Service. http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/filestore/1032_1423.pdf

Bresnihan, V. (2003) To Be or Not to Be, in Observations Cells? Dublin: Irish Penal Reform Trust.

Brady, T. (2004) Probe launched after prisoner found hanged. Irish Independent, 17 January 2004. Available at http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/index.php3?issue_id=10318

Seenan, G. (2004) Hidden toll of a justice system in crisis. Guardian, 21 January 2004. Available at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1127369,00.html

Shaw, J., Baker, D., Hunt, I. M., et al (2004) Suicide by prisoners: national clinical survey. British Journal of Psychiatry, 184, 263 –267.[Abstract/Free Full Text]





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