People in Custody With a Suicidal History: An Ideation-to-Action Perspective Involving Individuals Incarcerated in Two U.S. Jails

Abstract

Objective

Despite high suicide mortality in U.S. jails, little is known about the cognitive (ideation) and behavioral (attempt) spectrum of suicide risk in this population. Identifying factors associated with the development of suicidal ideation, as well as the translation of thoughts to acts of suicide, is important for suicide prevention.

Method

Using data from a cross-sectional study conducted in 2018–2019, we investigated suicidal ideation and attempt among 548 individuals incarcerated in jail in the United States. Specifically, we compared those with suicidal ideation (n = 212) to those without suicidal ideation (n = 336), as well as compared those who had experienced suicidal ideation and attempted suicide (n = 114) to those who thought about suicide without making an attempt (n = 98), on a range of sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Results

Over one-third (38.7%) of participants had a history of suicidal ideation, whereas 23.3% had attempted suicide. In the adjusted analyses, a family history of suicide (OR = 2.09), drug use (OR = 2.26), social support (OR = 0.61), and self-harm (OR = 24.93) were linked to suicidal ideation. No wish to live (OR = 5.26) and interpersonal violence while intoxicated (OR = 2.41) were associated with the progression from suicidal ideation to a suicide attempt.

Conclusions

Consistent with extant theoretical and empirical work, findings suggest that factors linked to the development of suicidal cognitions differ from those underlying the progression from suicidal ideation to a (non-lethal) suicide attempt.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Suicidal risk is particularly high among individuals who are incarcerated in jail.

• Factors linked to suicidal ideation differ from those underlying acts of suicide.

• Ideators and attempters possess a different set of targets for intervention.

Keywords:

• Ideation-to-action
• jail
• suicidal ideation
• suicide attempt

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the participating facilities, staff, and people in custody for making this research possible. We would also like to thank Louis Favril for providing feedback on an earlier draft.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

AUTHOR NOTES

Bryce E. Stoliker, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice Studies, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada.

Frances P. Abderhalden, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.  

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bryce E. Stoliker

Bryce E. Stoliker, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice Studies, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada

Frances P. Abderhalden

Frances P. Abderhalden, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA