Essay on Suicide in Jails - 1470 Words

Suicide In Jails The United States is plagued by a countless number of social dilemmas. Although not in constant public scrutiny, suicide is a serious problem which has seemed to have lost importance. When suicide is coupled with arrest and incarceration it becomes an increasingly complex situation. In fact, research indicates that the jail suicide rate ranges from 2.5 to 13 times greater than the rate of the general population (Winkler 1992). Motivation, prediction, and prevention of suicidal behavior are grossly unclear, which only adds to the already existing complexity. Many factors involved with arrest and incarceration only serve as a catalyst of suicidal tendencies. Suicide is the primary cause of death in this countrys†¦show more content†¦The majority of inmates commit suicide between the hours of midnight and eight A.M., usually occurring on a Saturday in the month of September (Winkler 1992). The acts take place at these specific times and days due to the fact that officer supervision is greatly decreased at these intervals. Despite the fact that supervision is so decreased, the victims are usually found within 15 minutes. Research has also been consistent in identifying other typical aspects of the jail suicide. The prominent factors are age, race,, marital status, and type of offense. The person is usually a 22 year old single whit male who has been arrested for an alcohol related offense . Many times an individual who is incarcerated because of a murder offense is automatically placed on suicide watch.The Federal Bureau of Prisons has warned local jailers that persons held for murder or any other offense involving possible death penalty be watched closely for any suicidal tendencies(Winkler 1992). Jail suicide in this case is usually caused by extreme feelings of remorse, particularly if the death of a relative is involved. Other characteristics include being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the arrest, the individual having no significant prior arrest, and being held in an urban county jail. Many feel correctional officials are responsible for an inmates well being . If this is the case, such personal characteristics asShow MoreRelatedThe Issue Of Prison Confinement1181 Words   |  5 Pages Issues of Jail Confinement Vanessa Williams Western Carolina University April 9, 2015 â€Æ' Introduction According to Siegel Bartollas, corrections is defined as the institutions and methods that society uses to correct, control, and change the behavior of convicted offenders (2014). Although society feels that the best way to take care of offenders is through confinement there are many issues that come in hand while being incarcerated. 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