An Examination of Suicide Attempts Among Incarcerated Sex Offenders

Abstract

Little is known about suicide attempts among sex offenders. This study examines the rates of nonfatal suicide attempts among a sample (N = 3,030) of incarcerated male sex offenders. Overall, the authors found that 14% of sex offenders in the study sample had made a suicide attempt at some point in their lives. Of those, 11% had reported a suicide attempt prior to incarceration, 0.5% had made a suicide attempt while incarcerated, and 2.5% made suicide attempts both prior to and during incarceration. Sex offenders who made suicide attempts were significantly more likely than those who did not make suicide attempts to have had an abusive childhood, a history of psychiatric problems, intellectual impairment, male victims, and related victims. Suicide attempters also scored higher on actuarial risk measures than nonattempters. No differences were found in attempter status between sex offenders who committed sex offenses against children and those who committed sex offenses against adults. A history of psychiatric problems and treatment as well as childhood abuse/neglect and perpetration against male victims predicted suicide attempter status. These findings are discussed as they pertain to suicide prevention, risk assessment, and the collateral consequences of sex offender legislation.

Impulsivity in sexual offenders. New ideas or back to basics?

“…In the study of Jeglic et al from January 2013, 14% of all sexual offenders had a lifetime history of at least one suicide attempt. In this group no significant differences between pedophilic child molesters and rapists was observed [41]. The results of recent, large epidemiologic study in Danish population confirmed that suicide attempts were significantly more frequent in individuals with paraphilia than in general population [42].…”

Where do sex crimes occur? How an examination of sex offense location can inform policy and prevention

“…Given that most sex crimes are committed by people known to the victim (e.g., Colombino et al, 2009Colombino et al, , 2011Duwe et al, 2008;Greenfield, 1997;Smallbone & Wortley, 2000;Snyder, 2000), it is not surprising that evidence for these laws has been mixed, at best. At worst, evidence suggests that these laws may inadvertently serve to increase risk of recidivism (Hanson & Harris, 1998;Jeglic, Mercado, & Levenson, 2012;Jeglic, Spada, & Mercado, 2013;Lees & Tewksbury, 2006;Levenson & Cotter, 2005a, 2005bLevenson, D'Amora, & Hern, 2007;Mercado, Alvarez, & Levenson, 2008;Prescott & Rockoff, 2008;Zevitz, 2006Zevitz, , 2000.…”

Correlates of Chronic Suicidal Ideation Among Community-Based Minor-Attracted Persons

“…Three studies have addressed suicide risk in the broader population of sex offenders (Jeglic, Spada, & Mercado, 2013; Stinson & Gonsalves, 2014; Webb et al, 2012). Among these samples, predictors of suicidal behavior included mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders as well as antisocial, borderline, and other cluster B personality disorders (Stinson & Gonsalves, 2014); history of child abuse or neglect, psychiatric history, and male victims (Jeglic et al, 2013); plus violent offenses and younger age (Webb et al, 2012).…”