This could be due to dealing with health conditions like asthma and cancer, which puts this group at four times higher risk of suicide.

Suicide Risk, Physical Symptoms, and Health of Criminal Justice Population

Psychological distress may manifest as physical symptoms. This could be due to the masculine culture in the criminal justice population, in which weaknesses are concealed, or facing stigma for having a criminal record and mental health issues.

Suicide Risk, Physical Symptoms, and Psychological Distress of Criminal Justice Population

Suicide risk is associated with physical symptoms. This could be due to:
- dealing with existing health conditions
- psychological distress manifesting as physical symptoms

New Mexico Highlands University


Those in the criminal justice population are at a higher risk of suicide compared to other groups in the U.S. In county jails, where people are held pretrial and serve less than a year, suicide is often the leading cause of death. In prisons with sentences greater than a year, about half of unnatural deaths are due to suicide.

Suicide and U.S. Criminal Justice Population

Clark, C. B., Li, Y., & Cropsey, K. L. (2016). Family dysfunction and suicide risk in a community corrections sample. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 37(6), 454–460. https://doi-org.proxy.wichita.edu/10.1027/0227-5910/a000406

Family Dysfunction and Suicide Risk in a Community Corrections Sample

Suicidal ideation in community corrections ranges from 13 to 41% and is 13 times higher than the general population.

Suicidal Ideation in Community Corrections

Suicide rates among released is 31 time higher for women and 9 times higher for men compared to the general population. Lifetime suicide attempts are twice as high as the general population.

Suicide Rates Upon Release 

Factors related to suicide in U.S. jails and prisons include:
- being white
- male
- younger
- married
- drug dependent
- having a prior violent offense
- staying in an individual jail cell
- having a life sentence. 

Factors Related to Suicide in U.S. Jails and Prisons

Often the criminal justice population has:
- low social support outside their family
- low education levels
- unemployment
- limited ways to find meaning in other areas of life

Issues Faced by Criminal Justice Population

Suicide Risk and Physical Symptoms of Criminal Justice Population 

Consider assessing for psychological distress and suicidal ideation if the community corrections population reports physical symptoms or family dysfunction. Find ways to reduce stigma and increase access to treatment.

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