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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 12:23 pm
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Results for suicide
29 results foundAuthor: Leigh, Andrew Title: Do Gun Buybacks Save Lives? Evidence from Panel Data Summary: In 1997, Australia implemented a gun buyback program that reduced the stock of firearms by around one-fifth. Using differences across states in the number of firearms withdrawn, this study tests whether the reduction in firearms availability affected firearm homicide and suicide rates. The study found that the buyback led to a drop in the firearm suicide rates of almost 80 percent, with no statistically significant effect on non-firearm death rates. The estimated effect on firearm homicides is of similar magnitude, but is less precise. The results are robust to a variety of specification checks, and to instrumenting the state-level buyback rate. Details: Bonn, Germany: Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), 2010. 55p. Source: Internet Resource; IZA Discussion Paper No. 4995 Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 118790 Keywords: FirearmsFirearms (Australia)Gun Buyback ProgramsGun ControlHomicideSuicide |
Author: Brooker, Charlie Title: Trends in Self-inflicted Deaths and Self-harm in Prisons in England and Wales (2001-2008): In Search of a New Research Paradigm Summary: No one would dispute the fact that offenders, whether in prison or elsewhere in the criminal justice system, are an alienated group where it would be predicted that self-inflicted deaths (SIDs) rates are higher than for the general population. This paper examines recent trends in SIDs and self-harm in English and Welsh prisons and discusses the implications of such data for future research across the whole offender pathway in England and Wales. Details: Lincoln, UK: Criminal Justice and Health Group, University of Lincoln, 2010. 19p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 118359 Keywords: Prisoners, Suicidal BehaviorSuicide |
Author: Oregon. Department of Corrections Title: Department of Corrections (DOC) Inmate Suicide Prevention Study Summary: This paper includes three studies associated with inmate suicide within Oregon’s Department of Corrections (DOC). The first is a statistical analysis that recognizes the inmate static and demographic factors that differentiate the average inmate from the inmate who is higher risk for a suicide attempt. The second analysis identifies the inmate static and dynamic factors that differentiate the high risk inmate who does not attempt suicide from the inmate who does attempt suicide. The third study includes interviews with inmates who have attempted suicide. Collectively, these three studies allow DOC to identify high risk inmates, identify the questions to ask high risk inmates who might attempt suicide, and provide the context for those attempting suicide. Developing protocols and systems to integrate this information into DOC’s daily efforts is the final step to minimizing the number of inmate suicides at Oregon’s DOC. Details: Salem, OR: Oregon Department of Corrections, 2009. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2010 at: http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/RESRCH/docs/Inmate_Suicide_Prevention_Study_Report.pdf?ga=t Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/RESRCH/docs/Inmate_Suicide_Prevention_Study_Report.pdf?ga=t Shelf Number: 120029 Keywords: InmatesMental HealthSuicide |
Author: National Confidential Inquiry into Suicides and Homicides by People with Mental Illness Title: A National Study of Self-Inflicted Deaths in Prison Custody in England and Wales from 1999 to 2007 Summary: The study of self-inflicted deaths by prisoners is a collaborative project between The National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness (University of Manchester), Offender Health (Department of Health) and the Safer Custody and Offender Policy Group (Ministry of Justice). A comprehensive national sample of self-inflicted deaths by prisoners in England and Wales was identified by the Safer Custody and Offender Policy Group. In each case, 2 questionnaires were sent to the prison where the death occurred. One was sent to the prison governor, the second to prison healthcare staff. If a psychiatrist had assessed the prisoner, a third questionnaire was completed. The period covered by data collection was between January 1999 and December 2007. The sample was therefore a 9 year consecutive case series, defined by date of death. Key findings -- Number of self-inflicted deaths Seven hundred and sixty-six self-inflicted deaths occurred among prisoners in 110 prisons, averaging 85 deaths per year. Forty six prisons had 6 or more self-inflicted deaths Nine (1%) self-inflicted deaths occurred under the care of the Prison Escort Custody Service and the majority of these were in court cells. Seven hundred and five (92%) self-inflicted deaths were by hanging or self-strangulation The most common ligature point was window bars and the most common ligature used was bedding (489; 64%). Details: Manchester, UK: University of Manchester, 2011. 114p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 25, 2011 at: http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/mentalhealth/research/suicide/prevention/offenders/reports/prisoncustodyselfinflicteddeaths.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/mentalhealth/research/suicide/prevention/offenders/reports/prisoncustodyselfinflicteddeaths.pdf Shelf Number: 121483 Keywords: Inmate Deaths (U.K.)Prisoner DeathsSuicideSuicides |
Author: Appleby, Louis Title: The National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness: Suicide and Homicide in Northern Ireland Summary: Suicide is a highly complex issue and continues to present a growing challenge for our society despite strenuous efforts across the statutory, community and voluntary sectors together with inspirational support from bereaved families. The individual circumstances for each person represented in the statistics presented in this report are unique. Nevertheless, to reduce the risk of suicide it is important, where possible, to identify common themes and patterns. We are all aware that people are now facing increasing pressures that can threaten their mental health and wellbeing. Substance misuse is a more common feature of modern life, particularly in areas of social and economic disadvantage; secure employment opportunities are not as plentiful; personal debt is rising; the gap in educational attainment remains; and stable family life is not as dominant a feature in society as it once was. This report demonstrates the link between mental ill health and suicide with the finding that 29% of people who died by suicide had been in contact with mental health services in the previous 12 months. However, this figure also indicates that many people who are suicidal, and therefore likely to have mental health difficulties, are not accessing statutory mental health services. Covering a nine year period from January 2000 to December 2008 during which there were 1,865 suicides and probable suicides in Northern Ireland, the report presents detailed data that looks behind the headline statistics. By presenting a better understanding of these deaths, the report will assist in fine tuning policy and practice for the care of people within mental health services and help to prevent deaths. The remit of the Inquiry also covers homicide by people who have been in contact with mental health services and the report notes that 15% of perpetrators of homicide were confirmed to have been in contact with mental health services in the 12 months before the offence. As with homicide in the general population, in most of these cases the perpetrators and victims were known to each other and, more importantly, none of the “stranger homicides” over the review period was committed by a mental health patient. Perceptions around the issue of serious violence by mental health patients can increase the fear and stigma that mentally ill people encounter. The evidence from this report reinforces the important point of the low risk to the general public from mental health patients which should be highlighted in initiatives to combat stigma. The report highlights areas where practice can be improved and presents a series of recommendations covering policy and practice. Work is already progressing that will help put many of the recommendations in place. This includes: the development of updated policy on suicide prevention and the promotion of positive mental health; the development of the second action plan for implementation of the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability; ongoing implementation of the “Card Before You Leave” protocol at Emergency Departments; and work with the Department of Justice to improve support for people with mental illness in the criminal justice system. Overall, the report increases our understanding of the risks of suicide in people with mental illness and of how to respond more effectively to those risks. This will help in taking further action to reduce suicide by people who use mental health services in Northern Ireland. Details: Manchester, UK: University of Manchester, 2011. 112p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 30, 2011 at: http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/mentalhealth/research/suicide/prevention/nci/northern_ireland/northern_ireland_full_report.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/mentalhealth/research/suicide/prevention/nci/northern_ireland/northern_ireland_full_report.pdf Shelf Number: 121920 Keywords: HomicideMental Health ServicesMental Illness (Northern Ireland) Mentally Ill OffSuicide |
Author: Burch, Andrea M. Title: Arrest-Related Deaths, 2003-2009 - Statistical Tables Summary: This report provides data on the circumstances of deaths that occur during, or shortly after, state or local law enforcement officers engage in an arrest or restraint process. Data from the Arrest-Related Deaths (ARD) component of the Deaths in Custody Reporting Program (DCRP) represent a national accounting of persons who have died during the process of arrest from 2003 through 2009. The ARD program includes homicides by law enforcement personnel as well as deaths attributed to suicide, intoxication, accidental injury, and natural causes. Data collected include information about the date of death, manner and cause of death, the decedent's demographic characteristics, the decedent's behavior during the events leading up to the death, and the tactics and weapons used by law enforcement personnel. Highlights include the following: A total of 4,813 deaths were reported to the Arrest-Related Deaths program from January 2003 through December 2009. Of reported arrest-related deaths, 61% (2,931) were classified as homicides by law enforcement personnel, 11% (541) were suicides, 11% (525) were due to intoxication, 6% (272) were accidental injuries, and 5% (244) were attributed to natural causes. State and local law enforcement agencies employing 100 or more full-time sworn personnel accounted for 75% of the 4,813 arrest-related deaths reported during 2003-2009. Among reported arrest-related deaths, 42% of persons were white, 32% were black, and 20% were Hispanic. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 26, 2011 at: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/ard0309st.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/ard0309st.pdf Shelf Number: 123453 Keywords: Arrest Statistics (U.S.)HomicidesPolice Policies and ProceduresSuicide |
Author: Brooker, Charlie Title: Trends in self-inflicted deaths and self-harm in prisons in England and Wales (2001-2008): In search of a new research paradigm Summary: No one would dispute that offenders, whether in prison or elsewhere in the criminal justice system, are an alienated group where it would be predicted that self-inflicted deaths (SIDs) rates are higher than for the general population. This paper will examine recent trends in SIDs and self-harm in English and Welsh prisons and discuss the implications of such data for future research across the whole offender pathway in England and Wales. Details: Lincoln, United Kingdom: The Criminal Justice and Health Group, University of Lincoln, 2010. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed in January 26, 2012 at http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/cjmh/SIDS%20and%20Self%20harm%20pub%20Lincoln.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/cjmh/SIDS%20and%20Self%20harm%20pub%20Lincoln.pdf Shelf Number: 123780 Keywords: Deaths in CustodyMental Health ServicesPrison AdministrationSelf-Injury, Inmates (U.K.)Suicide |
Author: Liem, Marieke Christine Agatha Title: Homicide Followed by Suicide. An Empirical Analysis Summary: When headlines such as the ones above confront us every now and then our illusion of safety is shattered: the perpetrator is not a stranger, but someone who is well‐known to us. Although already considered to be incomprehensible, when in such killings the perpetrator subsequently kills himself, we remain puzzled. The event is even more puzzling given the fact that usually, these perpetrators are older, white men, who do not have a criminal record (Marzuk et al., 1992; Stack, 1997), thereby challenging our idea of the ‘conventional’ criminal. Some see the perpetrator as a victim of his own acts, whereas others are of the opinion that his suicide is spiteful as he cannot be brought to justice for his4 cruel acts. Acts in which a homicide is followed by the suicide of the perpetrator are termed homicide‐suicides. So far our knowledge of homicide‐suicide is remarkably limited, particularly in the Netherlands. In the first place, this concerns our empirical knowledge of the phenomenon. Given the differences in their very nature, both homicide and suicide have mostly been studied independently, or, as Stack has (1997) has pointed out: “Research on homicide has neglected suicide and research on suicide has neglected homicide”. Even though numerous studies have been conducted on both homicide (for an overview, see Nieuwbeerta & Leistra, 2003) and on suicide (e.g. Garssen & Hoogenboezem, 2007; Neeleman, 1998) in the Netherlands and elsewhere, up until now only a limited number of studies have undertaken the endeavor to examine homicide‐suicides theoretically and empirically. Compared to the studies carried out on homicide and suicide, research on homicide‐suicide is considerably limited. A second gap in our knowledge exists regarding theoretical approaches to homicide-suicide. So far, no comprehensive theoretical approach to the homicide‐suicide phenomenon has been developed. Rather, from a current theoretical point of view homicide‐suicide constitutes a combination of both homicide and suicide, both types of lethal violence resulting from aggressive impulses. These theories, however, do not clarify under which circumstances one chooses to commit one type of lethal violence over another type – and they certainly do not explain the occurrence of a homicide - suicide. Homicide‐suicide is typically regarded as a variation of homicidal behaviour, where the subsequent suicide is the result of feelings of guilt or a fear of the judicial consequences, or as a variation of suicidal behavior, in which the victim is ‘taken along’ in the suicide of the perpetrator (Cavan, 1928; Milroy, 1993; West, 1965). The fact that we hardly have any adequate empirical or theoretical knowledge on homicide‐suicide has major implications both from a criminal justice and a public health perspective. Within the criminal justice system, particularly concerning detention facilities, there is a need to distinguish suicidal from non‐suicidal homicide perpetrators. DuRand et al. (1995), for example, have shown that a charge of murder or manslaughter poses an important risk factor in prison suicide. Various other studies have found that the majority of those committing suicide in prison were accused of murder or manslaughter (Danto, 1989; Salive et al., 1989; Smialek & Spitz, 1978). Yet, none of these studies regarded the suicide as a reaction to the initial homicide. Rather, the homicide is considered as a correlate rather than a cause of prison suicide. Distinguishing suicidal from non‐suicidal homicide perpetrators might allow for improvements in the prevention of suicide in detention. From a public health perspective, considering homicide‐suicide as primarily homicidal implies that prevention measures for homicide are parallel with those for homicide‐suicide. Similarly, considering homicide‐suicide as primarily suicidal infers that similar prevention measures for suicide might contribute to preventing homicidesuicides. However, perceiving of homicide‐suicide as a separate phenomenon might require a different approach to prevention altogether. To sum up, homicide followed by the suicide of the perpetrator constitutes a neglected phenomenon in the scientific realm. This study aims to increase our knowledge of homicide‐suicide in at least four ways, namely by: 1. Systematically reviewing previous empirical studies on homicide‐suicide as well as previous theoretical notions connected with the homicide‐suicide phenomenon; 2. Describing the nature and incidence of homicide‐suicide in the Netherlands and putting these findings into an international perspective; 3. Advancing the state of knowledge by not only assessing homicide‐suicides in isolation, but by comparing these acts to both homicide and suicide, in that way coming to an understanding of which characteristics explain the occurrence of homicide‐suicide relative to other types of lethal violence; 4. Empirically assessing existing theoretical assumptions on homicide‐suicide. Details: Utrecht, The Netherlands: Utrecht University, 2010. 257p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed October 5, 2012 at: http://igitur-archive.library.uu.nl/dissertations/2010-0204-200151/liem.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://igitur-archive.library.uu.nl/dissertations/2010-0204-200151/liem.pdf Shelf Number: 126559 Keywords: HomicideMurderSuicideViolent Crime |
Author: Neave, Colin Title: Suicide and Self-harm in the Immigration Detention Network Summary: Australia's immigration detention network has been subject to numerous reviews in recent years. This was due to the unprecedented strain on the network arising from increased Irregular Maritime Arrivals and the subsequent unrest and increase in suicide and self-harm incidents in 2010 and 2011. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (the department) and its service providers have undertaken, and are continuing to undertake, significant work to address the problems that these reviews have highlighted. We recognise that this investigation started during a particularly difficult period due to the immigration detention policies in place and the significant increase in Irregular Maritime Arrivals.The large numbers of people seeking asylum also led to significant delays in processing of claims and in subsequent merits and judicial reviews sought by individuals. In 2010, the Australian Government suspended processing of asylum claims by people from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for three and six months respectively. In 2011, the Malaysia Solution was announced by the Australian Government and subsequently invalidated by the High Court. There w as a large number of people in detention and many remained detained for long periods while a waiting finalisation of their asylum claims and substantive visas to be granted. During this period, the department and its service providers were required to manage day-to-day operations under significant strain, while simultaneously responding to changes in Australian Government policy, increase the available infrastructure and recruit and train large numbers of staff. We recognise that establishing appropriate processes and functions to support detention operations in these circumstances was difficult. The department necessarily had a strong focus on day-to-day logistics and the operational challenges that it was dealing with. In our view however, under this pressure, the department may not have fully appreciated some of the lessons gained from the experience of self-harm in immigration detention in the early 2000s. Issues around infrastructure and service provision – such as the adverse impact of overcrowded and/or remote facilities , and limited meaningful activities on the mental health of those in immigration detention facilities – were not fully addressed . In saying this, we also acknowledge that the department was obliged to respond within the constraints imposed by the law, the Australian Government's immigration policies, and capital funding decisions relating to infrastructure. We note and welcome the considerable efforts that the department has made over the last 18 months to address many of the issues that were apparent in the early part of this investigation. As a result of multiple internal and external reviews, the relevant policies and procedures have been reviewed, realigned and more strongly implemented. Important developments include the efforts to strengthen the Psychological Support Program and the new Programs and Activities Framework. Overall, we believe the department is now in a stronger position in terms of its capacity to manage the immigration detention network and associated risks and issues. However, this investigation has found scope for further improvement, and also identified lessons that can be learned from challenges of the recent past. Details: Canberra: Commonwealth Ombudsman, 2013. 171p. Source: Internet Resource: Report No. 02/2013: Accessed May 25, 2013 at: http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/files/suicide_and_self-harm_in_the_immigration_detention_network.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/files/suicide_and_self-harm_in_the_immigration_detention_network.pdf Shelf Number: 128791 Keywords: Illegal ImmigrantsImmigrant Detention (Australia)ImmigrationSuicide |
Author: Victorian Ombudsman Title: Investigation into Deaths and Harm in Custody Summary: The State owes a duty of care to every person detained in custody to ensure their safety and wellbeing. For example, in the Victorian prison system the Secretary of the Department of Justice has a statutory duty to ensure the safe custody and welfare of prisoners and offenders in the Secretary's custody. There are a number of rights that are engaged under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 when a person is detained in custody, including a person's right to humane treatment and the right not to be arbitrarily deprived of life. The Victorian community should have confidence in what happens behind the closed doors of custodial facilities - that detainees are managed in a fair and consistent manner; that they are treated with dignity and respect for their human rights; and that those responsible for caring for detainees are held accountable for their actions. Many people in custody are vulnerable, often with complex social, legal and medical histories. Each year a number of people die in custody, while many more experience some form of harm, injury or illness. For over 40 years, the welfare of people in custody has been a concern of the Victorian Ombudsman. In a number of my reports to Parliament I have identified concerns about the treatment of people in custody and made recommendations to address such concerns. Given continuing overcrowding in Victorian prisons and police cells, coinciding with an increase in the number of prisoner deaths in 2012-13, I decided that an own motion investigation into deaths in Victorian custodial facilities was warranted. My investigation focussed on Victorian prisons, police cells, the youth justice precincts and the secure psychiatric hospital for people with serious mental illness admitted under the Mental Health Act 1986. Details: Melbourne: Victorian Ombudsman, 2014. 152p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 21, 2014 at: https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/getattachment/2998b6e6-491a-4dfe-b081-9d86fe4d4921/reports-publications/parliamentary-reports/investigation-into-deaths-and-harm-in-custody.aspx Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/getattachment/2998b6e6-491a-4dfe-b081-9d86fe4d4921/reports-publications/parliamentary-reports/investigation-into-deaths-and-harm-in-custody.aspx Shelf Number: 132095 Keywords: Deaths in CustodyInmate DeathsMental Health ServicesPrison OvercrowdingPrisonersSuicide |
Author: Lundholm, Lena Title: Substance Use and Violence: Influence of Alcohol, Illicit Drugs and Anabolic Steroids on Violent Crime and Self-directed Summary: Interpersonal violence and suicide are major health concerns, leading to premature death, extensive human suffering and staggering monetary costs. Although violent behaviour has multiple causes, it is well known that acute substance intake and abuse increase the risks of both interpersonal and self-directed violence. This association is quite well established for alcohol, while a more ambiguous literature exists for other common drugs of abuse. For example, anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), synthetic analogues to the "male" sex hormone testosterone are suggested to elicit violent and aggressive behaviour. Two studies (I and III) in the present thesis addressed the association between AAS use and being suspected or convicted of a violent crime among remand prisoners and in a general population sample, respectively. Further, using the case-crossover design to control for confounders stable within individuals, I also investigated the triggering (short-term risk) effect of alcohol and drugs such as benzodiazepines and AAS, on violent crime (Study II). Finally, a fourth study (IV) based on a large national forensic sample of suicide completers (n=18,894) examined the risk of using a violent, more lethal, suicide method, when under acute influence of alcohol, central stimulants or cannabis. The results of this thesis suggested that AAS use in itself is not a proximal risk factor for violent crime; the observed risk is probably due to the co-occurrence of abuse of other substances. Alcohol is a strong triggering risk factor for violent crime, constant across males and females as well as individuals with or without behavioral and psychiatric vulnerability. Intake of high doses of benzodiazepines is associated with an increased risk for violent crime. Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of using the lethal suicide method of jumping from a height. I conclude that mapping substance abuse patterns may inform violence risk assessment and treatment planning. Details: Uppsala: Uppsala University, 2013. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 8, 2014 at: http://uu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:601819/FULLTEXT01.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Sweden URL: http://uu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:601819/FULLTEXT01.pdf Shelf Number: 132287 Keywords: Alcohol Related Crime, DisorderDrug Abuse and CrimeSubstance AbuseSuicideViolenceViolent Crime |
Author: Abram, Karen M. Title: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Detained Youth Summary: Incarcerated youth die by suicide at a rate two to three times higher than that of youth in the general population. In this bulletin, the authors examine suicidal thoughts and behaviors among 1,829 youth ages 10 to 18 in the Northwestern Juvenile Projecta longitudinal study of youth detained at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center in Chicago, IL. Key findings include the following: Approximately 1 in 10 juvenile detainees (10.3 percent) thought about suicide in the past 6 months, and 11 percent had attempted suicide. More than one-third of male juvenile detainees and nearly half of female juvenile detainees felt hopeless or thought a lot about death or dying in the 6 months prior to detention. Recent suicide attempts were most prevalent in female detainees and youth with anxiety disorders. Fewer than half of detainees with recent thoughts of suicide had told anyone about their suicidal thoughts. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2014. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: OJJDP Juvenile Justice Bulletin: Accessed July 25, 2014 at: http://ojjdp.gov/pubs/243891.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://ojjdp.gov/pubs/243891.pdf Shelf Number: 132749 Keywords: Juvenile DetentionJuvenile Inmates (U.S.)Suicide |
Author: MacKay, A. Wayne Title: Respectful and Responsible Relationships: There's No App for That. The Report of the Nova Scotia Task Force on Bullying and Summary: Schools are in many ways a microcosm of the larger society and this is also true in respect to the problems of bullying. The problems of bullying, and cyberbullying in particular, are a world-wide phenomenon and are growing in prominence. As the Task Force did its work there was barely a day that passed when there was not some mention of these issues. It is in the news, the basis of television crime dramas and it is affecting the lives of young people around the world. In a presentation to the Senate Human Rights Committee on Bullying and Cyberbullying, the President of Bullying.org indicated that there are 252,000 cases of bullying per month in Canadian high schools. A tragic series of youth suicides in Nova Scotia was the trigger that led to the creation of the Task Force, and courageous parent, Pam Murchison, mother of Jenna, whose talented young life ended in suicide, presented to the Task Force in both private and public meetings. These were important reminders of the need to reduce the problem of bullying and its sometimes tragic consequences on the lives of young people. Also the tearful news account of the father of another young Nova Scotian woman, who was tormented by bullies and whose life ended too early, added motivation and a sense of urgency to the work of this Task Force. Suicides are complex issues of mental health and there is rarely a clear cause and effect. However, the negative consequences of bullying in all its forms are extensive: loss of self-esteem, anxiety, fear and school drop-outs are a few examples. As the title of this report suggests, there is no quick fix to this problem; or to put it in modern terms, there is no app for that. The problems of bullying and cyberbullying raise some of the largest and most complex issues in society. At the core of the bullying issue is the need for respectful and responsible relationships among young people and in society generally. While there is lots of blame to go around, bullying is not just about unacceptable individual conduct but rather a complex web of relationships and attitudes that permeate all aspects of modern society. It is about values, community (or the loss of it), a breakdown in respect for other people, and the need for citizens young and old to take responsibility for their actions and inactions. As an insightful Grade 4/5 student stated, "Other people's feelings should be more important than your own. If everybody thought that way, there wouldn't be any bullying." This Task Force was born in the context of the Stanley Cup riots in Vancouver and extensive riots in the United Kingdom. In both these cases the mob mentality prevailed and acts of violence and vandalism were captured on camera for the entire world to see. The lack of respect for other people and their property, a failure to take responsibility for individual and collective actions, the loss of a sense of community and core values were all too evident in these high profile displays of violence and irresponsibility. Problems of bullying and cyberbullying are not confined to youth and in many respects the mandate of this Task Force intersects with some of the largest and most troubling issues of our time. Details: Halifax: Nova Scotia Task Force on Bullying and Cyberbullying, 2012. 105p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2015 at: http://antibullying.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Respectful%20and%20Responsible%20Relationships%2C%20There%27s%20no%20App%20for%20That%20-%20Report%20of%20the%20NS%20Task%20Force%20on%20Bullying%20and%20Cyberbullying.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://antibullying.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Respectful%20and%20Responsible%20Relationships%2C%20There%27s%20no%20App%20for%20That%20-%20Report%20of%20the%20NS%20Task%20Force%20on%20Bullying%20and%20Cyberbullying.pdf Shelf Number: 129790 Keywords: BullyingCyberbullyingSchool BullyingSchool CrimesSuicide |
Author: Willis, Matthew Title: Self-inflicted Deaths in Australian Prisons Summary: The AIC has operated the National Deaths in Custody Program since 1991, following a recommendation by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. This study updates and extends an earlier AIC study, which examined the important issue of self-inflicted deaths in prison custody using deaths in custody data for the period 1999-2013. Regrettably, suicide remains a common cause of death in prison; however, it is no longer the most common cause of death. While self-inflicted deaths constituted half of all prison deaths between 1980 and 1998, they have declined to the point that between 2004 and 2013 - the most recent decade for which data are available-they represented around a quarter of prison deaths. This decrease reflects the considerable progress made by corrective services administrators in developing policies and practices, and implementing cell designs, that address suicide risk factors. Nonetheless, these data and coronial findings suggest there is still room for improvement, particularly in responding to prisoners with psychiatric needs and in the management of unsentenced prisoners. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2016. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 513: Accessed September 3, 2016 at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi513.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi513.pdf Shelf Number: 140166 Keywords: Deaths in PrisonInmate SuicidesSuicide |
Author: Bentley, Holly Title: How Safe are Our Children? The Most Comprehensive Overview of Child Protection in the UK: 2016 Summary: Ask people what childhood should be like, and they'll say it's about playing with friends and exploring new worlds. We want our children to have a childhood full of fun and learning and love. Contrast this with the fact that, in the last year, there were more than 23,000 ChildLine counselling sessions with children about their experiences of abuse and neglect, and a rise in the number of counselling sessions with young people about suicidal feelings. This is not what we want childhood to be like. It's time to fight for the childhoods we want our children to have. That fight starts with adults knowing how to spot the signs of abuse and being prepared to take action to keep children safe. The good news is that more and more adults appear to be ready to take on this responsibility. Over the past five years we've seen increasing numbers of reports of abuse and neglect to social services, the police and the NSPCC. For example, there was a 29 per cent rise in the number of contacts to the NSPCC helpline about abuse and neglect between 2011/12 and 2015/16. Details: London: NSPCC, 2016. 88p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 14, 2016 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/how-safe-children-2016-report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/how-safe-children-2016-report.pdf Shelf Number: 140277 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild HomicidesChild MaltreatmentChild ProtectionSuicide |
Author: Noonan, Margaret E. Title: Mortality in Local Jails, 2000-2014 - Statistical Tables Summary: Describes national and state-level data on inmate deaths that occurred in local jails from 2000 to 2014 and includes a preliminary count of inmate deaths in local jails in 2015. Mortality data include the number of deaths and mortality rates by year, cause of death, selected decedent characteristics, and the state where the death occurred. Data are from BJS's Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, which was initiated under the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-297). Highlights: Heart disease was the second leading cause of death in local jails, accounting for 23% of deaths between 2000 and 2014. The suicide rate in local jails in 2014 was 50 per 100,000 local jail inmates. This is the highest suicide rate observed in local jails since 2000. More than a third (425 of 1,053 deaths, or 40%) of inmate deaths occurred within the first 7 days of admission. More than a third of inmates who died of homicide (137 of 327) were being held for a violent offense in 2014. Almost half (47%) of suicides occurred in general housing within jails between 2000 and 2014. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2016. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 21, 2016 at: http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=5865 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=5865 Shelf Number: 146006 Keywords: Deaths in CustodyHealth CareInmatesJail InmatesJailsSuicide |
Author: Phillips, Jake Title: Non-natural deaths following prison and police custody: Data and practice issues Summary: The Commission undertook this research as a follow up to our "Preventing deaths in detention of adults with mental health conditions" Inquiry. During this inquiry, we were told of concerns about gaps in knowledge about those who died shortly after leaving police or prison custody. This was outside of the Inquiry's terms of reference but we decided to take a closer look at this following publication of the Inquiry report. We commissioned Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Cambridge to undertake this work. The original inquiry made four principal recommendations. These were: -- There needs to be a more structured approach to learning lessons to implement changes identified as necessary during investigations of previous deaths and near misses, as well as learning from experiences in other institutions. -- There should be a clearer focus on getting the basics right, including implementing recommendations, improving staff training and ensuring more joined up working. -- There needs to be increased transparency to ensure adequate scrutiny, holding to account and the involvement of bereaved families. --All detention settings should use the Commission's Human Rights Framework to reduce non-natural deaths and ensure that their policies and practices meet their legal obligations under the Human Rights Act. The research into deaths following custody identified similar factors, suggesting that issues which could contribute to deaths in custody, are also relevant on release. Details: Manchester, UK: Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2016. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Research report 106: Accessed January 27, 2017 at: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/research-report-106-non-natural-deaths-following-prison-and-police-custody.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/research-report-106-non-natural-deaths-following-prison-and-police-custody.pdf Shelf Number: 144928 Keywords: Deaths in CustodyHomicidePolice CustodySuicide |
Author: Pope, Leah G. Title: Creating a Culture of Safety: Sentinel Event Reviews for Suicide and Self-Harm in Correctional Facilities Summary: Since 2011, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), through its Sentinel Events Initiative, has been investigating the feasibility of using a sentinel events approach to review and learn from errors in the criminal justice system such as wrongful convictions, eyewitness misidentifications, or incidents of suicide and self-harm in custody. Recognizing that adverse situations are rarely caused by a single event or the actions of an individual person, NIJ defines a sentinel event as a significant negative outcome that: 1) signals underlying weaknesses in a system or process; 2) is likely the result of compound errors; and 3) may provide, if properly analyzed and addressed, important keys to strengthening the system and preventing future adverse events or outcomes. With funding from NIJ, the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) has been examining the applicability and appropriateness of using sentinel event reviews for incidents of suicide and serious self-harm in detention. This report focuses on these incidents as prime opportunities to implement sentinel event reviews in the criminal justice context. Details: New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2017. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 28, 2017 at: https://www.vera.org/publication_downloads/culture-of-safety-sentinel-event-suicide-self-harm-correctional-facilities/culture-of-safety.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://www.vera.org/publication_downloads/culture-of-safety-sentinel-event-suicide-self-harm-correctional-facilities/culture-of-safety.pdf Shelf Number: 141251 Keywords: Mental HealthMental Health ServicesPrison SuicidePrisonersSelf-HarmSuicide |
Author: New Zealand. Office of the Ombudsman Title: A question of restraint - Care and management for prisoners considered to be at risk of suicide and self-harm Summary: New Zealand signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) in September 2003 and ratified OPCAT in March 2007. The objective of OPCAT is to establish a system of regular visits by international and national bodies to places of detention in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. OPCAT is incorporated into New Zealand law through the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA). The Ombudsman was designated a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in respect of: - prisons; - premises approved or agreed under the Immigration Act 1987; and - health and disability places of detention. Unlike other human rights treaty processes that deal with violations of rights after the fact, OPCAT is primarily concerned with preventing violations. Our visits are carried out with a view to strengthening protections against ill treatment and improving conditions of detention, taking into account international human rights standards. This preventive approach aims to ensure that sufficient safeguards against ill treatment are in place and that any risks, poor practices or systemic problems are identified and addressed. Each place of detention we visit contains a wide variety of people, often with complex and competing needs. Some detainees are difficult to deal with - demanding and vulnerable - others are more engaging and constructive. All have to be managed within a framework that is consistent and fair to all. While we appreciate the complexity of running such facilities and caring for detainees, our obligation is to ensure that appropriate standards are maintained in the facilities, and to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. By their very nature, prisons house difficult to manage, sometimes dangerous and often vulnerable prisoners who can push boundaries and challenge the system. In coercive establishments such as prisons, there is a danger that security is over-emphasised to the detriment of the dignity of prisoners. This year we found examples where order and security prevailed too easily over dignity and fairness; specifically, the care and treatment of adult prisoners considered to be at risk of suicide and self-harm. This report highlights our observations and findings over the reporting period July 2015 - June 2016 and focuses on the comprehensive inspections of five prison sites: Arohata Women's Prison, Manawatu Prison, Rolleston Prison, Invercargill Prison and Otago Corrections Facility. Additional visits to Auckland Prison, Auckland Regional Women's Corrections Facility, Auckland South Corrections Facility (managed by SERCO), Christchurch Men's Prison and Rimutaka Prison are also referred to in the body of the report and help inform the overall findings in this report. Details: Wellington, NZ: Office of the Ombudsman, 2017. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2017 at: http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/system/paperclip/document_files/document_files/1905/original/a_question_of_restraint_march_2017.pdf?1493174263 Year: 2017 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/system/paperclip/document_files/document_files/1905/original/a_question_of_restraint_march_2017.pdf?1493174263 Shelf Number: 145304 Keywords: Health CarePrison SuicidesPrisoner RestraintSelf-HarmSuicide |
Author: Edwards, Griffin Title: Looking Down the Barrel of a Loaded Gun: The Effect of Mandatory Handgun Purchase Delays on Homicide and Suicide Summary: The effects of policies aimed to restrict firearm ownership and usage is a heavily debated topic in modern social science research. While much of the debate has focused on right-to-carry laws, less research has focused on other policies which affect firearm ownership and use, in particular statutory delays between the purchase and delivery of a firearm. In addition to the 1994 Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which placed a mandatory five-day wait period between the purchase and delivery of a handgun, many states enacted similar policies before and after Brady's effective years. We exploit within-state variation across time in both the existence of a purchase delay and length of the delay to examine the effect of purchase delays on firearm-related homicides and suicides. We find that the existence of a purchase delay reduces firearm related suicides by around 3 percent, with no statistical evidence of a substitution towards non-firearm suicides. We find no evidence that purchase delays are associated with statistically significant changes in homicide rates. Details: Birmingham, AL: University of Alabama, 2016. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: U of Alabama Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2629397: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2629397 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2629397 Shelf Number: 146372 Keywords: Gun ControlGun PolicyGun ViolenceGun-Related ViolenceHomicidesSuicide |
Author: Heyman, Miriam Title: Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders Summary: A white paper commissioned by the Foundation has revealed that first responders (policemen and firefighters) are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. In 2017, there were at least 103 firefighter suicides and 140 police officer suicides. In contrast, 93 firefighters and 129 police officers died in the line of duty. Suicide is a result of mental illness, including depression and PTSD, which stems from constant exposure to death and destruction. The white paper study, the Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders, examines a number of factors contributing to mental health issues among first responders and what leads to their elevated rate of suicide. One study included in the white paper found that on average, police officers witness 188 'critical incidents' during their careers. This exposure to trauma can lead to several forms of mental illness. For example, PTSD and depression rates among firefighters and police officers have been found to be as much as 5 times higher than the rates within the civilian population, which causes these first responders to commit suicide at a considerably higher rate (firefighters: 18/100,000; police officers: 17/100,000; general population 13/100,000). Even when suicide does not occur, untreated mental illness can lead to poor physical health and impaired decision-making. In addition, the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) estimates that approximately 40% of firefighter suicides are reported. If these estimates are accurate, the actual number of 2017 suicides would be approximately equal to 257, which is more than twice the number of firefighters who died in the line of duty. "First responders are heroes who run towards danger every day in order to save the lives of others. They are also human beings, and their work exerts a toll on their mental health," said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. "It is our obligation to support them in every way possible - to make sure that they feel welcome and able to access life-saving mental health care. This white paper should serve as a critical call to action to all who care about our heroes in red and blue." The white paper also goes on to lay out several barriers that prevent first responders from accessing necessary mental health services to help them cope with trauma. Experts describe the shame and stigma surrounding mental health within professions that prioritize bravery and toughness, and the public remains largely unaware of these issues, since the vast majority of first responder suicides are not covered by the mainstream media. Additionally, of the 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States, approximately 3-5% have suicide prevention training programs. Details: Boston: Ruderman Family Foundations, 2018. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 28, 2018 at: http://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/police-officers-and-firefighters-are-more-likely-to-die-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty/ Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/police-officers-and-firefighters-are-more-likely-to-die-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty/ Shelf Number: 149934 Keywords: First RespondersMental health ServicesPolice SuicidesPost-Traumatic Stress SyndromeSuicide |
Author: Harrison, Poppy Elizabeth Title: Assessing the harm inside: a study contextualising boys' self-harm in custody Summary: Concerns about suicide and self-harm in English prisons are not new (Third report of the commissioners of prisons, 1880, cited in Liebling, 1992). However, a distinct system of intervention and custody for children (as established by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998) is relatively modern, and as such contextual studies about self-harm have largely, to date, overlooked children as a discrete group existing within a separate framework from adults. Similarly, large-scale research exploring self-harm among children in community settings has largely excluded the group of marginalised young people who come to the attention of youth justice services. This study presents a unique analysis of 181 youth justice assessments ('Assets') for boys who were remanded or sentenced to custody in under-18 Young Offender Institutions during 2014-15, tracing the subjects of the assessments from the communities they offended in through to a period in custody, using incident reports completed whilst they were there. What results is a contextual study examining the characteristics of the boys and their behaviour in custody. The study considers two central hypotheses: first, that to result in meaningful and supportive interventions, a definition of self-harm among the boys in the research sample often needs to include the harm they have done to their own lives (what the middle classes might call their 'prospects') through offending, and, second, that children who display the common traits of self-harming behaviour in custody may be identifiable by a different set of characteristics and needs from those who self-harm in the community. The author concludes that there is a previously undefined set of risk factors which can be applied to children who self-harm in custody for the first time, moving beyond the known risks associated with adolescent self-harm in the general population. Furthermore, it is found that boys who self-harm in custody are often doing so to exercise agency in an environment where they have very limited power, in circumstances defined not only by the restriction of liberty they are experiencing, but by the difficulties they experienced before coming to custody. Recommendations are made as to how policy-makers, through the current reforms to the youth justice system and a revised approach to assessments upon entry to custody, and practitioners, through increased awareness and improved recording of children's views can more appropriately intervene in these boys' lives to benefit them and society more widely. Details: Luton, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2016. 259p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 21, 2018 at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/77614088.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/77614088.pdf Shelf Number: 150280 Keywords: Deaths in CustodyJuvenile DetentionPrison SuicideSuicideYouth Custody |
Author: Aitken, Ruth Title: Domestic abuse and suicide: exploring the links with Refuge's client base and work force Summary: This collaborative research between Refuge and the University of Warwick is the first of its kind in the UK and - involving a sample of more than 3500 clients - it is one of the largest internationally. The suicide of Gurjit Dhaliwal, who took her own life after enduring years of physical and psychological abuse, was the impetus for this research. Dismayed at the apparent inability of the legal system to punish perpetrators who drive their victims to suicide, and by its failure to recognise the psychological injury which precedes it as a legitimate offence, we were moved to act. We decided to investigate the links between domestic abuse and suicide in order to fill gaps in existing knowledge about the factors that might predict, contribute to or mitigate against the development of suicidality in victims. Our goal was to use this information to inform policy and practice in the field; including in relation to 'liability for suicide' in cases of domestic abuse. This research provides detailed, substantial and original evidence on the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts amongst domestically abused clients in the UK. It supports existing research in suggesting a significant association between experiencing domestic abuse and suffering negative psychological effects. It highlights the importance of professionals that engage with domestically abused clients being more aware of and responsive to their risk of suicidality. Details: London: Refuge; Coventry, UK: Warwick Law School, 2018. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 24, 2018 at; https://www.refuge.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/domestic-abuse-suicide-refuge-warwick-july2018.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.refuge.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/domestic-abuse-suicide-refuge-warwick-july2018.pdf Shelf Number: 151248 Keywords: Domestic AbuseDomestic ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSuicideViolence Against Women |
Author: Pope, Laura Title: Self-Harm by Adult Men in Prison: A Rapid Evidence Assessment Summary: A Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) was undertaken to improve understanding of self-harm among adult men in prison, and to develop and inform thinking and action towards the management and treatment of self-harm in prisons. This is particularly important given the recent upward trend in self-harm incidents. This review explores the distinct characteristics and motivations of men who self-harm as a group of individuals that have previously received little attention in academic literature. For the purpose of this review, the HMPPS definition of self-harm has been used: 'any act where a prisoner deliberately harms themselves irrespective of the method, intent or severity of any injury' in which no underlying assumptions of intent or motivation are made. The primary research questions to be addressed in this REA are: 1. Why do adult men in prison self-harm? 2. What works to reduce and/or manage self-harm among adult men in prison? REA methodology was employed to search a range of databases for relevant literature. The review focused on male prisoners over the age of 18. To be selected for inclusion, studies had to clearly distinguish self-harm as a separate behaviour or outcome from suicide and only studies published in English in the last 15 years were included. International literature was considered and the comparability and generalisability of any non-UK studies have been carefully considered and presented within the findings of the review. From an initial sample of approximately 2,137 papers that were identified during the search process on why men self-harm, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and were assessed in detail. The type and quality of research design of included studies varies considerably. Five studies used the highest quality methods using control and/or comparison group designs. The remainder of the studies use either pre-or post comparison only design, or were correlational or qualitative in nature. Findings from all 14 of these studies were drawn upon in developing the conclusions of this REA. The search process focusing on what works to reducce/manage self-harm identified an initial sample of approximately 2,303 papers, although only two studies met the inclusion criteria. The wide variation in definitions of self-harm and the wide range of self-harming behaviours under study is not always adequately defined in research. Sample sizes tend to be small and are limited in their design. As a result, the literature is contradictory in places and limits the generalisability of some findings. Details: London: Her Majestys Prison and Probation Service, 2018. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Ministry of Justice Analytical Series 2018: Accessed October 3, 2018 at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/739521/self-harm-adult-men-prison-2018.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/739521/self-harm-adult-men-prison-2018.pdf Shelf Number: 151641 Keywords: PrisonersSelf InjurySelf-HarmSuicide |
Author: Wetchler, Everett Title: Fact Sheet: Officer-Involved Shootings and Custodial Deaths in Texas Summary: Since 2005, there have been 8,730 deaths of civilians in the custody of Texas law enforcement. In the past decade, officer-involved shootings in Texas have been on the rise. Data obtained from the Texas Office of the Attorney General shows that since Sept. 1, 2015, there have been 466 civilians shot by Texas law enforcement, and 78 officers have been shot. Officers involved in shootings skew younger and male than the general population of Texas law enforcement officers. Overall, most deaths that occur in Texas law enforcement custody are due to natural causes, but that nearly half of all deaths of inmates housed alone in a jail cell are suicides. Details: Austin, Texas: Texas Justice Initiative, 2018. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 17, 2019 at: http://texasjusticeinitiative.org/publications/ Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d2UBGXA_5YSv6TdcTZLrGe2X3zUBU3QR/view Shelf Number: 154986 Keywords: Deaths in CustodyJailOfficer Involved FatalitiesOfficer Involved ShootingsPolice Accountability Police BrutalityPolice ShootingsPolice Use of Deadly ForcePolice Use of Force Police-Citizen Encounters Suicide |
Author: Armstrong, Andrea Title: Dying in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Summary: The Promise of Justice Initiative has released a report that analyzes the deaths of twenty-five (25) in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison (EBRPP). Deaths in local jails are rare in most places, except for Louisiana and especially in EBRPP. However, this report, "Dying in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison," uncovers the failure of parish prison officials to ensure safe jail conditions, provide adequate health care and prevent the use of excessive force on detainees, resulting in an abnormally high mortality rate in the jail. The report also details the lack of accountability for the prison officials and how the suffering of families who have lost their sons, fathers, and brothers continues to be ignored. Often, after years of investigation and litigation, families are still denied compensation and accountability. These deaths here in East Baton Rouge do not exist in a vacuum, but rather are also a consequence of Louisiana's broken criminal justice system. Minorities, the poor, and the mentally ill are more likely to be exposed to the harms of the jail. The report urges key reforms, including greater transparency, to stop future occurrences of these preventable deaths. Co-author of the report and attorney at the Promise of Justice Initiative, Shanita Farris, commented, "Our criminal justice system is broken here in Louisiana, and one of the damaging effects of a dysfunctional system is the preventable deaths of community members." This report is the second report published by the Promise of Justice Initiative about the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Their first report, Punished Protestors: Conditions in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison was published in July 2017, the one-year anniversary of the protests following the killing of Alton Sterling by Baton Rouge police officers. Its contents presented a window into the disturbing conditions of the prison and the overly harsh, punitive treatment endured by people arrested and detained there following the protests. This new 2018 report, through interviews with family members and review of court records, media, and EBRPP documentation obtained through public records requests, confirms the experiences of the detained protesters and demonstrates that the conditions in EBRPP are deadly. "This report is meant to shed light on some troubling trends we have observed at the EBRPP and we hope it will be a jumping off point for conversations around how the community can work to improve the conditions there." says Promise of Justice Initiative Executive Director, Mercedes Montagnes. All 25 deaths in EBRPP since 2012 were men. Twenty-two of the 25 (88%) men had not been convicted at the time of their death. The deaths in the jail occurred as early as two days after admission to the jail to thirty-one months after arrest. Fifteen of the 25 men who died in EBRPP were Black, eight were White, and two were Latino. In East Baton Rouge, two of the deaths were suicides. Illness-related conditions were the leading cause of deaths in the jail. Some of these men had pre-existing medical conditions but were not given medication. Others were denied medical and mental health treatment. City and jail officials were formally made aware of the inadequate medical and mental health care in EBRPP at least as early as August 2015, but have failed to implement significant changes. The 25 deaths at EBRPP 2012-2016 are atypical, compared to 80% of jails across the country. Details: New Orleans, Louisiana: Loyola University of New Orleans College of Law, 2018. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2019 at: http://justicespromise.org/about-us/news-press/190-report-dying-in-east-baton-rouge-parish-prison-released-by-pji-today Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://justicespromise.org/attachments/article/190/Dying%20in%20East%20Baton%20Rouge%20Parish%20Prison%20Final.pdf Shelf Number: 156013 Keywords: Deaths in Jail Deaths in Prison Excessive Force on Detainees Incarceration Jail Jail Conditions Louisiana Mental Health Prison Suicide |
Author: Spyrou, Katerina Title: A Critical Exploration of the Causes and Challenges of the Rise in the Prison Population in the Prison Establishment in Cyprus - the Central Jail of Nicosia Summary: Over the last decade, the Central Jail of Nicosia (CJN) - the only correctional institution in the Republic of Cyprus saw a significant rise in its prison population. Today, the CJN is facing a number of challenges to its legitimacy which are evident in recent episodes of prison unrest, and the rise in self-harm, suicides and rapes. This research aims to provide a critical exploration of the reasons behind the increase in the prison population, and the challenges this brings. The review of current evidence, while limited, suggests a number of possibilities which might account for the rise including political patronage, racism and corruption. In order to consider issues that concern the rise and challenges of the prison population, this study focuses on the connection between imprisonment and micro elements of the Cypriot society/culture such as crime rates and trends, levels of social expenditure, public opinion and punitiveness, and institutional trust and legitimacy. Exploration of the increase in the prison population was carried out within a critical realist framework. Data was collected using twenty seven semi-structured interviews with Criminal Justice System 'elites', (including politicians, judges, public prosecutors, prison staff, prison administrators, senior counsels of the Republic of Cyprus, officers from the Ombudsman Office, and the Ombudsman herself). Thematic analysis of this qualitative data aimed to uncover the deep and often unobservable structures and mechanisms that influence the prison population in Cyprus. The findings of this study suggest that the reasons behind the increase in the prison population and its challenges display significant correlation with political patronage, racism, and corruption, and explain the unprecedented levels of immigrants within the Central Jail of Nicosia. The study also revealed that foreign immigrants are at greater risk of rape and suicide, and the impacts of corruption by those in authority. Finally the study, suggests that the rise and the challenges of the rise in the prison population have significant social, economic and political axioms. Details: Newcastle upon Thyne, England: Northumbria University, 2017. 259p. Source: Internet Resource (Doctoral Dissertation): Accessed August 15, 2019 at: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/36178/1/spyrou.katerina_phd.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Cyprus URL: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/36178/ Shelf Number: 157002 Keywords: Corrections Corruption Prison Population Racism Rape Self-Harm Suicide |
Author: Radeloff, Daniel Title: Murderers or Thieves at Risk?: Offence-Related Suicide Rates in Adolescent and Adult Prison Populations Summary: Abstract Purpose Prisoners have a higher risk of suicide compared to non-incarcerated individuals. One aim of suicide prevention for prisoners is to identify risk factors in order to put stronger support mechanisms in place for the more vulnerable detainees. This study investigates the suicide risk (SR) in offence-related sub-populations in a representative German sample and differentiates between SR for adolescent and adult prisoners. Methods Conducting a national study with data from public German records on the entire prison population from 2000 to 2016 and suicide numbers in German prisons in the same period, SR was calculated for the total male prison population as well as for both subgroups, adolescent and adult male prisoners. Results In the study period, male prisoners spent 959.584 life years (LY) in German criminal detention. Among those, 524 prisoners died of suicide. SR was higher for detainees imprisoned for an offence resulting in extensive physical harm for another person, e.g. homicide (suicide rate = 134,8 suicides per 100.000 LY; OR = 2,47; CI95%: 1,983,08), bodily injury (suicide rate = 87,3; OR = 1,60; CI95%: 1,291,99), and sexual offences (suicide rate = 84,2; OR = 1,54; CI95%: 1,182,01) compared with the SR of the total prison population (suicide rate = 54.6). Age differences between offence-related SR were found for theft, with adolescents (suicide rate = 69,3; OR = 1,25; CI95%: 0,851,84) showing higher SR than adults (suicide rate = 38,2; OR = 0,7; CI95%: 0,540,92). Conclusion The index offence of detainees is associated with SR and age-related differences exist. Suicide prevention in prisons should take both into account to determine populations at risk. Details: Leipzig, Germany: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Leipzig, 2019. 11p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 25, 2019 at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0214936 Year: 2019 Country: Germany URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0214936&type=printable Shelf Number: 157057 Keywords: Adult Prisoners Detainees Prison Population Prisoners Suicide |
Author: Sadat, Leila Nadya Title: Gun Violence and Human Rights Summary: This Article examines the U.S. gun violence crisis in light of the U.S. government's international human rights obligations. The United States has more firearm deaths than other high-income countries and it is estimated that there are now more guns than people in the country. The patchwork nature of U.S. gun laws, indicative of the political landscape around firearms and gun control, is insufficient to protect the U.S. population and is in contrast to research showing that gun control laws prevent gun violence. Reasonable gun control measures, such as mandatory licensing and background checks, assault weapons bans, and safe storage requirements, are not only constitutional, but may be legally required for the United States to fulfill its legal international human rights obligations. International human rights law, found in treaties ratified by the United States as well as customary law, are the "supreme law of the land" pursuant to Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. They require the United States to exercise due diligence to protect its population and prevent foreseeable harms, including the many human rights violations associated with the proliferation of firearms and gun violence, such as the right to life, the right to security, the freedom of religion, special protection for children and the right to education, and protection against racial discrimination, among others. This Article provides a human rights framework for the U.S. gun violence crisis that can bolster arguments advanced under U.S. law and influence the political climate in the United States. Given that the difficulty in enacting reasonable gun control measures is largely political rather than legal, considering the problem from a human rights perspective offers real value. Human rights remedies are not the only response to America's gun violence problem, but they are an important element of the solution. As a human rights rhetoric for gun violence becomes normalized, these arguments can also shore up legal and political arguments advanced on other grounds, so that gun control advocates find themselves with a new "tool kit" in the struggle to convince politicians - and courts - that addressing gun violence through the adoption of reasonable gun control measures is legally, as well as morally, required. Details: St. Louis, Missouri: Washington University in St. Louis, School of Law, 2019. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 3, 2019 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3396172 Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3396172 Shelf Number: 158125 Keywords: Assault Weapons Ban Firearms Gun Control Gun Violence Homicide Human Rights International Law Mass Shooting School Shooting Second Amendment Suicide |