There have been 367 suicides in Australian prisons since 1980. Examination of the data collected by the Australian Institute of Criminology confirms that suicide is the leading cause of death in Australia’s correctional institutions, accounting for almost half of all deaths in prisons. In more than 90 per cent of all suicide deaths the method employed was found to be hanging.
This paper contains preliminary analysis of suicide in Australia’s prisons over the past 19 years. Further detailed analysis will expand on some of these findings, specifically attempting to explain the complexities of apparent motives leading to prisoner suicide. Policies and procedures in place for the identification and management of inmates perceived to be “at risk” of suicide and/or self-harm is also a critical issue for further examination.
Two additional reports by Vicki Dalton will follow later in 1999. One will examine Aboriginal suicide in prison, and the other will be a more comprehensive report in the AIC’s Research and Public Policy series. This latter report will update and draw together broad data holdings, and in addition will provide further detailed analysis.