Factors associated with the transition from suicidal ideation to suicide attempt in prison

Background Although research has identified a wide range of risk factors for suicidal behavior in prisoners, it does not establish who is most likely to act on their suicidal thoughts while incarcerated. Methods Self-report data were collected from a random sample of 1,203 adult men incarcerated across 15 prisons in Belgium, who represent 12% of all male prisoners nationwide. Results One-third (33%) of participants reported having suicidal thoughts during their incarceration, of whom 26% attempted suicide in prison (9% of all prisoners). Factors independently associated with suicide attempt among prisoners with suicidal ideation were violent offending (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33–5.23), in-prison drug use (aOR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.25–4.22), exposure to suicidal behavior (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.04–3.68), and a lifetime history of nonsuicidal self-injury (aOR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.08–3.36). While related to suicidal thoughts, markers of psychiatric morbidity and aspects of the prison regime were not associated with the progression to suicide attempt. Conclusions Many prisoners who think about suicide do not attempt suicide while incarcerated. Factors associated with suicidal ideation are distinct from those that govern the transition to suicidal behavior. Our findings lend support to the hypothesis that behavioral disinhibition might act as a catalyst in the translation of suicidal thoughts into action

Organizing Forensic Mental Health Care Delivery: Putting the Trinitarian Model of Therapeutic Security to the Test

The Trinitarian model of therapeutic security is used to organize forensic mental health care in Ireland, England and Scotland. However, it remains unclear whether this model captures all significant factors for the organization of forensic mental health care delivery. In this case study, the Trinitarian model is applied to and tested on Belgian forensic mental health services. Relational security as a discriminative factor is debated and an extension of this institution-oriented model to the policy- and service users’ level is recommended. Finally, we propose to disentangle the concepts of therapeutic security, risk and care in forensic mental health