Incremental conditions of isolation as a predictor of suicide in prisoners

Abstract

In a study of the incidence of suicide in jails and prisons under increasing conditions of deprivation in Italy from 2004 to 2008, imprisonment involving greater levels of isolation was found to be associated with a higher rate of suicide. Greater care should be taken to ensure that prisoners in isolation do not commit suicide by limiting this option when possible or providing mental health services when isolation is necessary.

Keywords: Custody conditions; Isolation; Prisoning; Suicide.