Suicide in Prison: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Suicide is an important cause of death in prisons across the United States. Existing research on prison suicides has been criticized for focusing on static variables such as demographics. The purpose of the present investigation was to study dynamic variables by examining the experiences of 24 inmates who attempted suicide in prison. Inmates were interviewed in six state prison facilities in Oregon. The results were organized into three categories: mental health issues, relationship issues, and prison factors. The themes and subthemes of each category are illustrated with quotes, and results are discussed in light of relevant literature.