Reversing the Upward Trend of Suicides in Correctional Facilities

Suicide remains a critical and preventable crisis within U.S. jails and prisons. Despite increased awareness, suicide rates among incarcerated individuals have surged, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reforms and innovative solutions. Monitoring solutions, such as Cell-Guardian™, may provide an answer. 

The Alarming Rise of Suicide in Correctional Facilities

Suicide is a leading cause of death in U.S. correctional facilities. These are troubling incidents for correctional staff to deal with both emotionally and mentally as the trauma affects both the staff and incarcerated persons. 

A report published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, gives us some insight into who is committing suicide and at what point during their incarceration. Here are their findings:

• Suicides increased 85% in state prisons, 61% in federal prisons, and 13% in local jails from 2001 to 2019.

• Suffocation, including hanging and self-strangulation, accounted for nearly 90% of suicide deaths in local jails

• During 2015-19, about 12% of deaths by suicide in local jails occurred within the first 24 hours of incarceration.

• The average suicide rate for white inmates in local jails is 5 times the rate for black inmates, and more than 3 times the rate for Hispanic inmate..

It's important to note that administrative data for suicide rates in correctional facilities often lags behind by several years, making it difficult to assess the current situation accurately. There appears to be little to no data available after 2019.

Factors contributing to this crisis:

Being incarcerated isn’t a normal event in the life of an average person, so it’s not surprising that the suicide rate for those individuals is higher than the average population. According to the authors, “From 2009 to 2020, the observed suicide rate in prisons increased from 10.57 to 19.01 per 100 000 and the crude suicide rate in the general population increased from 15.41 to 17.26 per 100 000.”

According to Vera, these are some of the major factors contributing to suicide and self-harm in correctional facilities:

• Environmental stress: The harsh realities of prison life, including isolation, violence, boredom, the imposition of discipline, and the stress of losing connection to the outside world, can increase feelings of hopelessness. Humans are social creatures, so when their surroundings, daily routine and interactions with others are dramatically disrupted, it puts an incredible strain on incarcerated individuals.

• Mental health issues: Many people entering the correctional system have existing mental illnesses or substance use problems, which can be exacerbated by the incarcerated environment. This is a lethal combination as individuals are confined, without a familiar support system and may not have the proper medications or treatments to manage their illness.

• Demographic differences: Certain demographics show elevated suicide rates in jails, with males being 50% more likely to die by suicide than women, and white individuals six times more likely than black individuals and three times more likely than Hispanic individuals.

• Lack of adequate mental health services: Insufficient staffing and resources for mental health services within correctional facilities can impede proper assessment and treatment of suicidal inmates.

• Severity of offense: Inmates incarcerated for violent or serious offenses face increased suicide risk. As they come to terms or realize the magnitude of their crime, they may be struggling with guilt, seen in an unfavorable light, or any multitude of emotions that put them in an unstable mental state.

• Solitary confinement: Single-cell occupancy is associated with a higher risk of suicide.   Isolation practices have been linked to increased suicide risks, yet they remain prevalent in many facilities. Humans are social creatures, so isolation and lack of human contact takes a huge toll on their mental well-being.

The Toll of Suicide

Suicide affects more than the incarcerated individuals who takes their own lives. It leaves a lasting impression on their families, friends, fellow inmates, staff members, and anyone who had a relationship with them. 

The grieving or consequences of loss doesn't stop there either. Correctional officers and clinical staff who have custody and control of the incarcerated person who committed suicide may deal with the loss in a very personal way. There may be trauma to those who were there and saw the aftermath of the incident. They may even feel a deeper sense of remorse or guilt by questioning if they could have done something to prevent the incident from happening.

Let’s not forget about clergy, community volunteers and others who interact with the incarcerated person on a regular basis through educational opportunities, job training, therapy groups, religious events, etc. They also may suffer from the loss of a person whom they were trying to help.

The emotional and psychological impacts of suicide leave a lasting mark on the correctional facility, its staff, family, and friends.

Introducing Cell-Guardian: A Technological Approach to Suicide Prevention

Cell-Guardian is an advanced zero-touch monitoring system designed to proactively address suicide risks in correctional settings. By leveraging real-time data and analytics, it aims to detect early warning signs and facilitate timely interventions.

Key Features of Cell-Guardian:

• Continuous Monitoring: Utilizes sensors and thermal cameras to track and predict inmates' movements, identifying anomalies that may indicate distress or suicidal tendencies.

• Real-Time Alerts: Generates immediate notifications for staff when potential suicide risks are detected, such as irradicate movement or lack of movement, enabling swift safety and medical responses.

• Data-Driven Insights: Aggregates and analyzes data with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to identify patterns and inform preventive strategies.

• Integration with Existing Systems: Designed to complement current correctional facility infrastructures and integrate into existing user interfaces for a seamless implementation.

• Time-Stamped Recordings: Records and associates incidents with a time-stamped video for legal protection & operational accountability.

By focusing on early detection and rapid response, Cell-Guardian addresses the critical need for proactive suicide prevention and response measures in correctional environments.

The Path Forward: Combining Technology with Comprehensive Care

While advanced technological solutions like Cell-Guardian offer promising tools for suicide prevention, they must be integrated into a broader strategy that includes mental health support, staff training, and policy reforms to promote inmate well-being.

Addressing the suicide crisis in jails and prisons requires a multifaceted approach that combines innovative technology with compassionate care and systemic change.

For more information on Cell-Guardian and its role in suicide prevention within correctional facilities, visit Cell-Guardian.com.