Examining the effects of psychiatric symptoms, brain injury symptoms, and low self-control on the placement of inmates in administrative segregation and their risk for suicidal ideation

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we are interested in understanding the predictive effects of psychiatric symptoms, brain injury symptoms, and criminological factors on inmate (N=270) risk for placement in administrative segregation and their expression of suicidal ideation. Methods: Using a case-control design, this study seeks to understand the psychological and behavioral risk-profiles of inmates being placed in administrative segregation and those with suicidal ideation. More specifically, we are trying to understand the magnitude of the effect that psychiatric symptoms, brain injury symptoms, and low self-control characteristics has on the risk of inmates being placed in administrative segregation and their risk for suicidal ideation. Results: We found that factor scores for psychiatric symptoms and low self-control levels significantly increase the risk of inmates expressing suicidal ideation when compared to alternative predictive factors.

Exploratory Analysis of Predictors Effecting Suicidal Thinking among Inmates Participating in a Prison Treatment Program

“…Previous research has repeatedly demonstrated how incarcerated veterans who have served in hostile war zones and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have high rates of suicide (Wortzel et al, 2009). Furthermore, among those individuals who are incarcerated the association between aggression, violence, and suicide may have underlying neurological and psychiatric issues that can be linked to the conditions of confinement, such as, being placed in solitary confinement or administration segregation, which can exacerbate untreated and underlying health issues (Chintakrindi et al, 2021).…”