Introduction
Risk assessment tools should be used to determine if an inmate is suicidal. Three methods are currently used to assess an inmate’s risk for suicide. These include “clinical opinions, structured-professionals judgments, and actuarial predictions” (Risk Assessment, 2006, para. 5). One of the common tools derived from these approaches is known as the Jail Suicide Assessment Tool (JSAT). This structured-professional tool is used to obtain clinical information from an inmate (Carlson, 2002). The JSAT does not reveal its main intention.
Psychiatric diagnoses are also used to monitor prisoners who have higher chances of committing suicide. Past studies have observed that “over 40 percent of prisoners who commit suicide have psychotic disorders” (Tripodi & Bender, 2007, p. 42). Personality disorders should also be examined carefully. The Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) is another useful tool. This tool contains 21 items. The tool “focuses on a prisoner’s plans to commit suicide, behaviors, and attitudes” (Tripodi & Bender, 2007, p. 42). The other powerful tool is known as the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ). The SBQ measures a person’s suicidal thoughts. It uses “a Likert-scale to measure communication of suicidal thoughts, the expectation of attempting suicide, and suicide ideation” (Tripodi & Bender, 2007, p. 43).
Assessing Suicidality for Incarcerated and Non-incarcerated Individuals
Different methods should be used to assess suicidability for non-incarcerated and imprisoned persons. For instance, the Suicide Risk Assessment Pocket Card (SRAPC) is used in different healthcare settings to assess patients for suicidability. Psychological factors such as unemployment, a broken relationship, and the presence of a chronic disease should also be monitored. Clinicians can also assess suicidability using various warnings such as “threats to commit suicide, seeking access to poisons, and writing about death” (Risk Assessment, 2006, para. 9). Caregivers and family members should also “monitor certain signs such as hopelessness, drug abuse, mood changes, recklessness, and anger” (Suicide Methods in Prison, 2006, para. 7). However, these methods might not be efficient for incarcerated persons. This is true because many inmates show similar signs. Advanced tools such as the SBQ should therefore be used to get quality results.
Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of Suicide
Correctional staff should be equipped with the best concepts to reduce the risk of suicide. The behaviors of suicidal patients should be monitored more recurrently (Daniel, 2006). Trained clinicians should also be involved in the process. Health appraisal reports should be completed after every two weeks. Correctional staff should also be equipped with powerful competencies to respond to different behaviors (Suicide Prevention Basics, 2015). Penitentiaries should implement effective Suicide Prevention Programs (SPPs). Depressed inmates should get the best psychological support. Prison workers should use emphatic approaches whenever dealing with suicidal inmates. Finally, inmates should “be housed in suicide-resistant cells” (Tripodi & Bender, 2007, p. 49). Such cells should have smoke detectors, air vents, and light fixtures (Daniel, 2006).
Potential Pitfalls in Determining if an Inmate is Suicidal
Some pitfalls make it impossible for correctional staff to isolate every suicidal prisoner. For instance, suicidal inmates tend to share similar characteristics with their counterparts. Many inmates also become depressed after incarceration. As well, offenders have higher chances of becoming suicidal. Some penitentiaries lack formal procedures for identifying and supporting suicidal prisoners (Daniel, 2006). These pitfalls can make it impossible for clinicians to support different suicidal inmates. The workers lack proper training thus being unable to support their inmates. Many prisons are usually isolated from the wider community. Such institutions are therefore unable to acquire various psychiatric services.
References
Carlson, D. (2002). Jail Suicide Assessment Tool. Web.
Daniel, E. (2006). Preventing suicide in prison: A collaborative responsibility of administration, custodial, and clinical staff. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 34(2), 165-175.
Risk Assessment: Approaches and Applications. (2006). Web.
Suicide Methods in Prison. (2006). Web.
Suicide Prevention Basics. (2015). Web.
Tripodi, S., & Bender, K. (2007). Inmate Suicide: Prevalence, Assessment, and Protocols. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 7(1), 40-54.