Inmate suicide Research Paper

Increase in inmate suicidal rate indicates failure of the prison to take care of the inmates which may be considered as a legal challenge. Inmates have depicted different strategies for committing suicide that need to be addressed in detail for control and regulation of the incidences. The primary solution to this prison problem starts with the identification of the risk factors and causes of the suicidal mind among the inmates for proper actions to be taken. The discussion in this paper, therefore, aims at addressing the challenge relating to inmate suicide, with reference to the causes and risk factors as well as the appropriate actions for control of this problem. The paper will also provide a statistical distribution of suicidal cases among inmates in the prisons.

HIV/AIDs among inmates creates the highest percentage of inmate suicide with the rate between 16 to 36 times of the other suicidal causes in the general population. The major incidences of inmate suicidal are recorded in the United Kingdom with the highest risk being recorded between 1972 and 1987. Hanging is recorded to be the most common suicidal method by the inmates. The suicidal cases in the prisons make up to 47 percent of the inmate deaths. Most of the inmates who commit suicide in most cases have been undergoing mental treatment within the prison. The population of concern at the high risk of suicidal includes young males of age between 15 to 49 years, elderly males, indigenous people, individuals with mental illness, people with alcohol or drug influence, individuals with the previous suicidal attempt, and prisoners in custody.

A combination of individual conditions and environmental factors accounts for the high rate of suicide in the prison arena. A case study at Massachusetts prison indicates a high rate of inmate deaths in every year. For instance, the prison recorded a total of fourteen deaths of inmates in 2017. The data provided by the state and the county indicates that this was the highest rate of inmate deaths since 2004. Over 40 percent of the inmates need to undergo detox while about 50 percent have recorded to have mental illnesses (Dlugacz 2014). It is always sad to report a death of an inmate as it indicates failure of the staffs and management to take care of their clients. A little media attention is given to suicidal life saved thus failing to appreciate the prison staffs effort.

The major challenge facing prison wanders, staffs, and management is their struggle in controlling the population of the inmates (Harvey and Hayes 2013). Poor management has always been a challenge in controlling the cases of inmate suicide. Prison officers should be accountable for any suicide case occurring due to negligence or failure to respond to noted mental or health challenge among the inmates. Management and prison officers should provide a conducive environment for the prisoners, considering that they are a human being and have constitutional rights to live better despite their criminal deeds. Constitution protects inmates from violation or mistreatment either from other prisoners or the prison officers. Inmates should be trained on how to handle stress and emphasis be put on the importance of reporting any disturbing issues to the prison officers for proper actions to be taken.