Skip to main content
Search
Search
    Quick Search anywhere
    Quick search in Citations
Advanced Search
Skip main navigationClose Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
Previous article
Next article
Research Trends

Inmate Suicides in the Correctional Service of Canada

Published Online:January 01, 1997https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.18.4.157

Abstract

This article presents descriptive statistics on the 66 suicides occurring in federal institutions in Canada over a 4-year period. Criminological and institutional factors of those who committed suicide included lengthy involvement in the criminal justice system, a greater likelihood of being incarcerated for robbery or murder, and involvement in institutional incidents of a serious nature. In addition, 62% of the inmates who committed suicide had been transferred from other institutions within 6 months prior to suicide, though 59% evidenced no indicators of suicidal intent and 44% were not considered to be depressed at the time of suicide. Family problems (29%) were the most commonly hypothesized motivating factor in the suicides, followed by denial of a request for appeal, parole, or transfer (26%), fear of other inmates (24%), and substance abuse problems (21%). Current and planned suicide prevention and intervention strategies of the Correctional Service of Canada are discussed in the context of these findings.

References

  • Albert, J, Malépart, YComite d'étude sur les suicides survenus aux établissements Archambault et Leclerc (Avril 1993-Mars 1996). Québec: Correctional Service of Canada (1996). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Correctional Service of CanadaBasic facts about corrections in Canada—1994 edition. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services Canada (1995). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Daigle, MSummary report on suicides in Quebec penitentiaries (April 1993-March 1995). Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada (1995). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hayes, LFrom chaos to calm: One jail system's struggle with suicide prevention. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, (1997). in press, First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Laishes, JRetrospective study of inmate suicides in the Correctional Service of Canada (April 1992-March 1994) — Final report. Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada (1994). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Laishes, J1994/1995 retrospective study of inmate suicides in the Correctional Service of Canada. Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada (1995). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Laishes, JRetrospective study of inmate suicides in the Correctional Service of Canada (April 1922-March 31, 1996). Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada (1996). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Motiuk, L, Porporino, FThe prevalence, nature and severity of mental health programs among federal male inmates in Canadian penitentiaries. Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada (Research and Statistics Branch, 1991). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Robinson, D, Alksnis, C1995 national inmate survey — Final report. Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada/Price Waterhouse (1996). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Salive, M, Smith, G, Brewer, TSuicide mortality in the Maryland state prison system, 1979 through 1987. Journal of the American Medical Association, (1989). 262, 365–369 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar