Professors Gautam Gulati and Brendan Kelly write in the Irish Examiner on 17th March that ‘we owe it to prisoners to protect their mental health’. The article highlights the factors that increase an inmate’s risk of suicide and mentions what can be done to protect prisoners and create safer prisons.
Read the full article on the Irish Examiner website here.
They outlined the factors that increase the risk of suicide in prison as:
being young, male, on a first remand, imprisoned for violent offences, or having a history of drug misuse, self-harm, or major mental illness. Substance intoxication or withdrawal also heightens the risk.
Among the solution they mentioned were:
Making prison cells safer through careful design can have a significant impact. Sharing cells can also help reduce risk, provided this does not lead to overcrowding or force prisoners to sleep on the floor. Thoughtfully designed shared spaces enhance safety.
Maintaining connections with family from the first night in prison can be lifesaving, because this is often the most difficult time. Access to phone calls, support from chaplains and prison staff, and contact with organisations like the Samaritans can provide crucial emotional support. Allowing early and regular social visits helps reduce feelings of isolation.
For prisoners struggling with substance withdrawal, timely access to detoxification services is essential. Those with a history of trauma or self-harm benefit significantly from early and consistent psychological support. Likewise, effective treatment for severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia or major depression can both reduce suicide risk and alleviate suffering.
Respectful relationships between staff and prisoners, along with a fair and accessible complaints system, contribute to safer, more positive prison environments. A culture of respect can help mitigate some of the despair and hopelessness that often lead to suicide.