In American Jails Magazine - Preventing Suicide and Avoiding Lawsuits in America's Jails: Practical Lessons for Jail Administrators and Staff

Suicide remains the leading cause of death in America’s jails. National data show that suicide accounts for roughly one-third of all jail deaths, compared with about 6 percent of deaths in state prisons (Carson and Cowhig, 2020). This discrepancy highlights that suicide is predominantly a jail problem – rooted in the immediate shock of confinement, withdrawal from substances, the volatility of detainees who are new to the system, mental disorders, legal setbacks, and psychosocial stressors. The danger is greatest during the first two weeks of custody. Lindsay Hayes (2010) found that nearly half of jail suicides occur during this short window. Read More.