Citation

Moore E, Gaskin C, Indig D. J. Correct. Health Care 2015; 21(3): 243-254.

Affiliation

Centre for Health Research in Criminal Justice, Justice Health and the Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, National Commission on Correctional Health Care (USA), Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1078345815584849

PMID

25968956

Abstract

This study aims to identify risk factors for suicide and self-harm among young offenders. The data are from the 2009 New South Wales Young People in Custody Health Survey. The sample (N = 313) were 88% male and 48% Aboriginal. Sixteen percent reported ever having suicidal thoughts and 10% reported a suicide attempt. Twenty-one percent reported thoughts of self-harm and 16% reported actual self-harm. Female young offenders reported higher rates of suicidal behavior and self-harm compared to males. Significant correlates of attempted suicide and self-harm included childhood adversity and psychiatric disorder. This study finds that young offenders are at high risk of suicidal and self-harm behaviors. Early identification and support among this vulnerable group are critical.

Language: en