Trends in self‐inflicted deaths in prisons in England and Wales (2001‐2008): towards targeted interventions
| Pages | 34-43 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5042/jacpr.2010.0535 |
| Published date | 30 September 2010 |
| Date | 30 September 2010 |
| Author | Charlie Brooker,John Flynn,Clare Fox |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research • Volume 2 Issue 4 • October 2010 © Pier Professional Ltd34
10.5042/jacpr.2010.0535
Introduction
Whilst Durkheim, the founding father of
social science, believed that suicide could be
explained by social phenomena (ie. broad
social, cultural and economic factors), he
summarised the unique tragedy of a suicide in
the following manner:
‘Each victim of suicide gives his act
a personal stamp which expresses his
temperament, the special conditions
in which he is involved, and which,
consequently, cannot be explained by
the social and general causes of the
phenomenon.’ (Durkheim, 1951, p277)
Durkheim’s main int erest was in exp laining
the lack of soci al cohesio n in s ociety, na mely
its degree of in tegration. He used suicide rates
as a pr oxy measu re for the weakn ess of social
bonds in any par ticular gr oup. No one woul d
dispute th at offend ers, wheth er in prison or
elsewhere in the criminal justice s ystem, are an
alienated group whe re it w ould be predicted
that rates of se lf-inflicted deaths (SIDs) wo uld
be higher than f or the general p opulation.
This paper will examine re cent tren ds in S IDs
in English and W elsh priso ns and discuss t he
implications of suc h data for futur e research
across the whole offender pathway i n England
and Wales.
Trends in self-inflicted
deaths in prisons in England
and Wales (2001–2008):
towards targeted interventions
Charlie Brooker
Honorary Professor, The Criminal Justice and Health Group, University of Lincoln, UK
John Flynn
Statistician, The Criminal Justice and Health Group, University of Lincoln, UK
Clare Fox
Research Assistant, The Criminal Justice and Health Group, University of Lincoln, UK
ABS TR AC T
Rates for self-inflicted deaths (SIDs) were analysed in English and Welsh prisons. Whilst the
overall reductions in SIDs are to be welcomed, the data demonstrate that there is variation in
progress with SIDs reduction across the different types of prison. SIDs is increasing in high
security prisons and these findings have implications for both research and commissioning.
Those that commission prison mental health services in primary care trusts must recognise
the need for targeted interventions that acknowledge three major issues indicated in the
literature: the likely childhood trauma experienced by mentally disordered prisoners; a
better recognition of the important role played by victimisation and intimidation in SIDs;
and greater investment in alcohol treatment programmes in prison. Research should be
commissioned that examines these factors in relation to SID.
KEY WORDS
Prison; self-inflicted death; bullying and intimidation; childhood trauma; alcohol.
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