Prison dilemma: Exploring solutions for self-harm among inmates
In the gritty realm of correctional facilities, inmates often grapple with the harsh reality of losing their freedom. This struggle intensifies when they are without familial and social support. The weight of fear from potential physical and sexual violence, loss of control, harsh prison conditions, and shame can be too much for some to handle. In grim statistics, a total of 1,794 prisoners lost their lives in German prisons from 2000 to 2023 - that's 1,736 men and 58 women, averaging 72 individuals per year. But let's take a closer look at the numbers in Baden-Württemberg.
The Tragic Toll in Baden-Württemberg
Over the past decade, 89 unfortunates in Baden-Württemberg took their own lives while serving their sentences. These men aged between 17 and 79 made the fateful choice, mostly through strangulation using belts, bedding, or cords. Notably, the years 2016, 2021, and 2022 saw especially high numbers with 12 suicides each, while the lowest numbers - five each - were recorded in 2018 and 2020.
While these numbers paint a somber picture, it's crucial to acknowledge the factors that contribute to this grim reality.
The Risks: An Unavoidable Truth
Scientific research highlights several groups that face an increased risk of suicide: detainees and prisoners at the start of their sentence, as well as young and elderly prisoners. Additionally, prisoners in solitary confinement, those with a history of violence or sexual offenses, those with mental illnesses, substance abuse issues, and a history of suicide attempts, along with those serving extended sentences, are at a higher risk.
The Danger Zone: Early Days of Imprisonment
Incarceration can be a tumultuous and stressful experience, heightening the risk of suicide. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice notes that "the risk of suicide is significantly higher" during this phase compared to a regular prison sentence. Often, these tendencies were observed in detainees over 40 years old, who were frequently suspected of homicide or sexual offenses, and who made their decision within three days of imprisonment.
Beyond the initial shock, emotional exhaustion, or "burnout," can set in after about 60 days. It's during the night in solitary confinement that most suicides occur.
Identifying the High-Risk Candidates
To identify and manage the suicide risks, a criminologically guided screening procedure has been implemented statewide. During the intake phase, potentially at-risk prisoners should be identified as early as possible using a questionnaire to ensure immediate attention.
The Role of Prison Staff
Understanding the risks and knowing how to handle them, training programs for employees have been put in place. In the Baden-Württemberg prison system, the topic of crisis and suicide plays a significant role during recruit training. Prison officers have a legal obligation to protect and care for the prisoners under their charge, with an active role in preventing suicides. Failure to take action could lead to criminal consequences.
When Action is Needed
When a risk of suicide is detected, suicidal prisoners are often housed in surveillance cameras-equipped cells, an arrangement usually implemented for security reasons or when communal accommodation is not feasible. After a risk assessment, a prisoner can be housed in a communal cell with or without the constant presence of a fellow prisoner for protection. In many prisons, communal accommodation is a potential means to counteract suicidal tendencies.
The Effort to Prevent Suicides
In order to prevent suicides, several proactive measures have been put in place. Within the confines of some prisons, trained inmates may be paired with vulnerable inmates in communal accommodation. These pairs undergo training and support their counterparts during activities. These programs like the Listener Project in Schwäbisch Hall and "Inmates for Inmates" in Bruchsal prisons aim to foster a supportive environment that encourages open dialogue and cooperation.
- The scientific health-and-wellness field has identified several high-risk groups for suicide among prisoners, including detainees and prisoners at the start of their sentence, young and elderly prisoners, prisoners in solitary confinement, those with a history of violence or sexual offenses, those with mental illnesses, substance abuse issues, and a history of suicide attempts, and those serving extended sentences.
- In the mental-health arena, a comprehensive approach is being taken in Baden-Württemberg to screen and identify at-risk prisoners, provide training for prison staff, and implement proactive measures like directing suicidal prisoners into communal accommodation with support from trained inmates in programs like the Listener Project and "Inmates for Inmates."
