Citation

Tatarelli R, Mancinelli I, Taggi F, Polidori G. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 1999; 43(4): 438-447.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X99434003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study analyses the suicides in Italian prisons in 1996 and 1997, formulates hypotheses regarding possible risk factors for such suicides, and suggests possible preventive measures. The data come from the anonymous records on prison suicides provided by the Italian Prison Administration Department. Data were collected and elaborated according to Statistical- epidemiological criteria using the World Health Organization Epi 6 programme. In 1996, there were 45 suicides in Italian prisons among a prison population of 48,528 (93/100,000 inmates/year). In 1997, there were 55 suicides among 49,306 inmates (112/100,000 inmates/year). Some of the suicide risk factors found were: mental disorders, drug addiction, previous incarceration, and the lack of objective assessment of the suicide risk. On the basis of possible risk factors identified in this study and the results of the reported international studies, the authors suggest guidelines for the prevention of prison suicides integrated on three levels: environmental, diagnostic, and therapeutic.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; article; controlled study; female; human; Italy; major clinical study; male; prison; prisoner; psychologic assessment; risk factor; suicide