Prison Suicide: An Overview and Guide to Prevention

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DIANE Publishing, 1998 - Psychology - 111 pages
Until recently, it has been assumed that suicide, although a problem for jail inmates as they face the initial crisis of incarceration, is not a significant problem for inmates who advance to prison to serve out their sentences. This monograph was produced to fill a critical void in the knowledge base about prison suicide. In addition to a through review of the literature and of national and state standards for prevention, it offers the most recent national data on the incidence and rate of prison suicide, effective prevention programs, and discussion of liability issues. References, appendices and tables.
 

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Page 16 - ... and wanton infliction of pain,' [ ] proscribed by the Eighth Amendment. This is true whether the indifference is manifested by prison doctors in their response to the prisoner's needs or by prison guards in intentionally denying or delaying access to medical care or intentionally interfering with the treatment once prescribed. Regardless of how evidenced, deliberate indifference to a prisoner's serious illness or injury states a cause of action under § 1983.
Page 61 - But it may happen that in light of the duties assigned to specific officers or employees the need for more or different training is so obvious, and the inadequacy so likely to result in the violation of constitutional rights, that the policymakers of the city can reasonably be said to have been deliberately indifferent to the need.
Page 61 - We hold instead [as to the meaning of deliberate indifference] that a prison official cannot be found liable under the Eighth Amendment for denying an inmate humane conditions of confinement unless the official knows of and disregards an excessive risk to inmate health or safety; the official must both be aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.
Page 16 - We therefore conclude that deliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners constitutes the "unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain" proscribed by the Eighth Amendment. This is true whether the indifference is manifested by prison doctors in their response to the...
Page 72 - Rowan, JR (1988). National study of jail suicides: Seven years later. Alexandria, VA: National Center on Institutions and Alternatives.
Page 5 - Suicide is not a bizarre and incomprehensible act of self-destruction. Rather, suicidal people use a particular logic, a style of thinking that brings them to the conclusion that death is the only solution to their problems. This style can be readily seen, and there are steps we can take to stop suicide, if we know where to look
Page 70 - Patterns of Suicide in the Texas Department of Corrections, 19801985.
Page 109 - G poor 2. To what extent do you see the document as being useful in terms of: (check one box on each line) Highly Of Some Not Useful Use Useful Modifying existing projects...
Page 69 - Way is a program evaluation specialist in the bureau of survey and evaluation research in the New York State Office of Mental Health, 44 Holland Avenue, Albany, New York 12229.
Page 5 - Stressors mirror those of jail suicide victims, such as fear of die unknown and isolation from family, but over time: ...incarceration may bring about added Stressors, such as loss of outside relationships, conflicts within the institution, victimization, further legal frustration, physical and emotional breakdown, and a wide variety of other problems in living. Coupled with such negative life stress, individuals with...

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