Citation

Way BB, Sawyer DA, Barboza S, Nash R. Psychiatr. Serv. 2007; 58(4): 558-560.

Affiliation

Central New York Psychiatric Center, New York State Office of Mental Health, Box 300, Marcy, NY 13403. bruceway@omh.state.ny.us.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.58.4.558

PMID

17412861

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the number of days that prisoners spent in a special disciplinary housing unit in New York State prison before a suicide occurred. METHODS: Suicides that occurred between 1993 and 2003 were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 32 suicides occurred in one-person special housing cells during the 11-year period. Inmates spent a median of 63 days in a special disciplinary housing cell before committing suicide. The aggregate median sentence these inmates were serving in special housing at the time of suicide was 298.5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Because most suicides in a special housing unit occurred within eight weeks of placement, enhanced observation of special housing inmates is warranted in that period at a minimum.

Language: en