Finnish prison suicides from 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2010

All Deaths Cause of deathN% Suicide Natural death / illness Violent death33.7 Undetermined All

Suicide trends

Is it possible to draw a portrait of a prisoner who commits suicide? 35/36 were male Median age 32 (22–59) 22/36 were unmarried 30/36 were done by hanging

Drugs and health care At the time of death, 72 % had psychiatric medication: most commonly benzodiazepines. Antipsychotic medication 42 % 8/15 the dosage was antipsychotic Antidepressant medication 44 % Self-reported lifetime drug or alcohol abuse was found in 81% of the cases.

Drugs and health care A week prior to the suicide, 58% had had a contact with the prison health care. Psychiatric hospitalization preceded 17% of the suicides. Time from discharge varied 1–290 (mean 77) days. 39 % had been at some point in their lives in a psychiatric hospital

Odd behaviour 9 had a mention in their records of odd or peculiar behaviour

Criminological background 36% were first timers The time from hearing the court’s final conviction to the suicide varied 12–452 (mean 171) days. Half were on remand 47 % had done a crime of violence 64 % had at least once been in prison for a crime of violence

Time from imprisonment to suicide

Springtime May was the peak month for suicides very few suicides occurred during September– December.

The portrait The beginning of the sentence On remand Age under 30 Male Spring, esp. May Drug abuse previous to imprisonement

What about all those undetermined deaths? 22 open verdicts during 2001 – /22 happened outside prison (on leave)

Abstract Finnish prison suicides Background Among prisoners, the most common cause of death is suicide. The prevalence is decreasing in line with the trend in the Finnish society in general. Aim To characterize prisoners who commit suicide in Finland. Methods A descriptive register-based study comprised all the prisoners who committed a confirmed suicide from 1st January 2001 to 31st December We studied the patient records and the data concerning sentences and the circumstances of death. Results Of the 36 persons, one was female. The median age was 32 (22–59). Half were remand prisoners and 36% were first-timers. During the first week of imprisonment occurred 17% of the suicides, during the first month 31%, and during three months 60%. All but 6 were committed by hanging. May was the peak month and very few suicides occurred during September–December. At the time of death, 72% had psychiatric medication: most commonly benzodiazepines used for withdrawal symptoms. Self-reported lifetime drug or alcohol abuse was found in 81% of the cases. A week prior to the suicide, 58% had had a contact with the prison health care. Psychiatric hospitalization preceded 17% of the suicides, time from discharge varied 1–290 (mean 77) days. The time from hearing the court’s final conviction to the suicide varied 12–452 (mean 171) days. Conclusions Prisoners who are in the beginning of their sentence, who report drug abuse, and who have tranquilizers for withdrawal symptoms are at risk, especially during springtime. Restricting the availability of hanging equipment could prevent suicides.