Suicide in Prisons

Suicides in institutions are a major problem. Relatives and friends, staff and fellow patients/prisoners are all affected. In any type of institution, closed or open, common themes emerge in suicide prevention. This book explores the prison setting and describes the development of suicide prevention strategies. These issues are relevant across the wider forensic setting.Suicide in Prisons provides an up-to-date review of recent research into suicide and self-injury in prisons, and makes links between the research, the prison context and related practice-based issues. Key issues covered included suicide prevention, self-injury, risk assessment, peer group support and staff training. It provides the reader with a good background to aid informed practice.

Graham Towl is Head of Psychology for the Prison Service and the National Probation Service. He is the Co-founder and Editor of The British Journal of Forensic Practice. His recent publications include ‘The Handbook of Psychology for Forensic Practitioners’ (1996) and journal articles on suicide and self-injury in prisons and risk assessment with offenders.

Louisa Snow is conducting doctoral research at University of Kent, Canterbury.

Martin McHugh is Head of the Management Selection and Succession Unit within the Prison Service.