Self‐inflicted deaths of prisoners serving life sentences 1988‐2001

Abstract

Prisoners serving life sentences are known to be at a higher risk of suicide. This paper reports findings from a review of self‐inflicted deaths of life sentence prisoners over the years 1988‐2001 and an indepth analysis of 20 recent cases (1998‐2001) to identify the individual motivations and environmental triggers for self‐inflicted death in this population. There were 80 (9.5% of total prison suicides) self‐inflicted deaths among lifers in the study period. The prisoners were older and more likely to kill themselves a year or more into their sentence than were other prison suicides. Analysis of the 20 case studies showed that lifers who killed themselves less than a year into their sentence tended to be overtly suicidal from the start of their time in custody, to have committed domestic murders and to have killed themselves when faced with the reality of their sentence or tariff. Lifers who killed themselves more than a year into their sentence tended to have a previous history of self‐harm or suicide attempts but fewer signs of immediate risk. Problems in progressing through the lifer system seemed to be significant, including reduced status or a failed appeal, and inability to adjust following transfer. Other triggers included disrupted relationships in or out of prison. Among both early and late groups there was evidence of mental health problems contributing to the death. Warning signs immediately before the death included refusing food, work or medication. Mood and demeanour appear to be unreliable indicators of risk.

Citation

Borrill, J. (2002), "Self‐inflicted deaths of prisoners serving life sentences 1988‐2001", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 4 No. 4, pp. 30-38. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636646200200024