Vol.19 No.13 - Corrections Digest - Jail Suicide Rate Nine Times Greater

Sep 29, 2026

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June 29, 1988 Corrections Digest issue reports findings from a major NCIA-sponsored national study on jail suicides. The study projects that jail suicide rates are nine times higher than in the general population and identifies suicide as a leading cause of death in U.S. jails. It summarizes results across two years, including demographics, detention types, timing, methods, screening gaps, and notable differences versus the typical jail inmate population.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

JAIL SUICIDES: NCIA Study Finds Suicides To Be Leading Cause Of Deaths

What The Findings Revealed

Some Appreciable Differences

Vol.19 No.13 NCIA Finds... ## JAIL SUICIDE RATE NINE TIMESGREATER THAN THAT OFTHE GENERAL POPULATION In a major study ofjail suicides released onJune 7,staff at the National Center on Institutionsand Alternatives(NCIA)in Alexandria,Va,haveprojected that the suicide rate in jails is nine timesgreater than that of the general population.Further,suicide continues to be the leadingcause of death in our nation's jails. The 114-page study,entitled National Studyof Jail Suicides:Seven Years Later,was com-pleted in February and released June 7 throughNCIA's Jail Suicide Update.The research,onlythe second national perspective of the problem,was conducted as part of NCIA's role as nationalcoordinator of the Jail Suicide Prevention Informa-tion Task Force. The project,funded through a grant from theNational Institute of Corrections(NIC),U.S.Department of Justice:(1)Conducted 12 regionaljail suicide prevention seminars throughout thecountry,training over 750 jail personnel;(2)actedas a clearinghouse by providing technical assis-tance materials to state officials and individual jailfacilities,and others interested in jail suicide pre-vention;(3)developed a Training Curriculum OnSuicide Detection And Prevention In Jails AndLockups;and(4)gathered information fromcounty jails,city jails,and police departmentlockups on the incidence of suicides during 1985and 1986,including a replication of NCIA’s 1981National Study of Jail Suicides. The present National Study of Jail Suicides:Seven Years Later documented 453 suicides incounty and local jails during 1985,and 401 (Continued on page two) June 29,1988 IN THIS ISSUE JAIL SUICIDES:NCIA Study FindsSuicides To Be Leading Cause Of Deaths……… 1 IN THE COURTS:Prison Doctors,Texas Death Penalty Law,DisciplineSuits,And Virginia's Death Row.…… …9 DRUG LAW OFFENDERS:FedsGive Them Longer Sentences…… …10 FPS:Drug Testing Prohibited… …11 ARIZONA DOC:Sued ForAlleged Discrimination … ……… …11 LETTER:Can You Provide DataFor A Sex Offender Project?.… …12 BRITISH:Reject Death Penalty Again… …12 JUVENILE JUSTICE:Aid Bill Passes… ……12 CORRECTIONALLEGALISSUES The Pennsylvania State University will conduct asemi-naron “Legal Issues for Corrections Personnel”Nov.1416 and again April 2426,1989,in University Part,Pa.The course is designed for prison wardens,officers andother supervisory personnel,as well as persons respon-sible for establishing personnel policy within correctionalinstitutions.Tuition is $245.For more information,con-tact:Kathy Karchner,Coordinator,410Keller Bldg,ThePennsylvania State University,University Part,PA16802.Phone:814-863-3551. ## CORRECTIONS DIGEST Page 2 suicides in 1986.As can be seen by Table 1,eachstate,with the exception of Rhode Island and Ver-mont,experienced at least one jail suicide during1985 and 1986.In addition,the states of Texas,California,New York,and Illinois comprised 32percent of all jail suicides in the country. What The Findings Revealed The project,directed by Lindsay M.Hayes,subsequentlyreceived or gathered demographic data on 339 of the 1986jailsuicides.Holding facilities(which normally detain personsfor less than 48 hours)comprised 30 percent of the suicideswhile detention facilities(over 48 hours)comprised 70 per-cent of such deaths.The findings revealed that: ● 72%of victims were white. ● 94%of victims were male. ● Average(mean)age of the victim was 30. ● 52%of victims were single. ● 75%of victims were detained on non-violent charges, with 27%detained on alcohol/drug-related charges. ● 89%of victims were confined as detainees. ● 78%of victims had prior charges,yet only 10%were previously held on personal/violent offenses. ● 60%of victims were intoxicated at the time ofincarceration. ● 30%of suicides occurred during a six-hour periodbetween midnight and 6:00 a.m. ● 94%of suicides were by hanging;48%of victimsused their bedding ● Two

FAQs

How much higher is the jail suicide rate compared with the general population?

The study projects that the suicide rate in jails is nine times greater than that of the general population.

What do the findings say about victims' detention status and facility types?

Holding facilities account for 30% of suicides, detention facilities account for 70%, and 89% of victims were confined as detainees.

Which suicide method and time period are most frequently reported in the study’s results?

Hanging accounts for 94% of suicides, and 30% occur between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by dawugda