Assignment Task:
In correctional settings, suicide-related forensic assessments are essential for identifying at-risk individuals and implementing necessary interventions to reduce the likelihood of self-harm or death. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in prisons and jails, underscoring the critical need for accurate, timely, and thorough suicide risk evaluations by forensic mental health professionals (Gendreau & Goggin, 2013). These evaluations typically involve a combination of clinical interviews, behavioural observations, psychological testing, and the review of institutional and medical records. Forensic professionals must assess both static and dynamic risk factors, ensuring their assessments are sensitive to the unique stressors associated with incarceration.
Suicide risk assessments in correctional facilities typically begin with an intake screening process, which includes questions related to prior suicide attempts, current suicidal ideation, mental health history, and substance use. Inmates with positive screenings are referred for further evaluation by mental health professionals. These evaluations often utilize structured assessment tools such as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI), and the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS), which help standardize assessments and reduce subjective bias.
In addition to formal instruments, forensic professionals consider observable behaviours such as withdrawal from social interaction, expressions of hopelessness, or giving away personal belongings. Collateral information, including disciplinary records, medical history, and input from correctional officers or family members, further informs the assessment process. Forensic clinicians also evaluate inmates' protective factors, including social support, religious beliefs, and coping skills, which may buffer against suicidal behaviour.
Regular follow-up assessments are essential, especially during high-risk periods such as the early days of incarceration, after court dates or sentencing, and following personal losses. Forensic professionals must also be vigilant in reassessing inmates during changes in housing (e.g., solitary confinement), as such shifts can exacerbate psychological distress and elevate suicide risk.
Several suicide risk factors are particularly salient in correctional settings. According to Gendreau and Goggin (2013), these include a history of mental illness (especially depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia), previous suicide attempts, substance use disorders, and experiences of trauma or abuse. The stress of incarceration-loss of autonomy, isolation from family, and fear of violence-can further intensify suicidal ideation. Institutional factors, such as inadequate mental health services, overcrowding, and lack of meaningful activity, also contribute to increased risk.
Significantly, impulsivity and poor emotional regulation are especially concerning in incarcerated populations. Many inmates have co-occurring personality disorders, such as borderline or antisocial personality disorder, which can impair their ability to cope with distress and increase the likelihood of self-harm (Karnick et al., 2022).
For outpatient inmate populations (e.g., those on parole, probation, or in community-based correctional programs), suicide risk may present differently. While these individuals may benefit from increased freedom and community reintegration, they often face unique stressors such as social stigma, unemployment, housing instability, and limited access to mental health care. Karnick et al. (2022) emphasize the role of transdiagnostic risk factors-including anxiety sensitivity, emotion dysregulation, and interpersonal stress-in contributing to suicide risk in outpatient psychiatric populations. These factors are relevant for forensic outpatients as well, highlighting the need for community-based monitoring and support services.
Outpatient populations may not exhibit the same institutional risk factors (e.g., isolation, solitary confinement), but they often struggle with a lack of structure, low social support, and the pressure of reintegration, which can exacerbate mental health conditions. Forensic professionals must tailor risk assessments to this context, focusing on community-specific protective and risk factors, and ensuring that continuity of care is maintained through case management, therapy, and support networks.
Suicide-related forensic assessments in correctional and outpatient settings require a multifaceted, context-sensitive approach. Understanding the distinct and overlapping risk factors in incarcerated and outpatient inmate populations allows forensic professionals to implement appropriate interventions and ultimately reduce suicide rates. Through evidence-based assessment tools, ongoing evaluation, and a focus on both risk and protective factors, clinicians play a vital role in safeguarding the mental health and well-being of justice-involved individuals. Need Assignment Help?
References:
Gendreau, P., & Goggin, C. (2013). Practicing psychology in correctional settings. In I. B. Weiner & R. K. Otto (Eds.), The Handbook of Forensic Psychology (4th ed., pp. 759-794). John Wiley & Sons.
Karnick, A. T., Fergerson, A. K., Caulfield, N. M., Buerke, M., Albanese, B. J., Schmidt, N. B., & Capron, D. W. (2022). Toward an integrative model of transdiagnostic risk factors and suicide: A network comparison of psychiatric outpatients. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 154, 252-260.
Reply to post from Jeniece SampsonReply
CSCrystal SteinfeldApr 9 8:35pmManage Discussion by Crystal Steinfeld
Reply from Crystal Steinfeld
Explain the suicide-related forensic assessment procedures used by forensic professionals in correctional settings.
It is difficult to determine if one will commit suicide or not. Therefore, how does one assess this in a correctional setting? According to Dr. Fleischmann who is an expert in suicide prevention said to, "address as many risk factors as possible" (Smith, 2013). In most cases these risk factors can include "mental distress, chronic illness, acute emotional distress, or the death of a loved one" (Smith, 2013). I also think a history of severe trauma is also a risk factor when it comes to suicide and suicidal ideations. According to Muskala (2024), being in a prison setting alone can put someone at risk of ending their own life. Lastly, it also seems like serving a life sentence can also be a risk factor because all of the inmmates mentioned within the article who committed suicide were all serving life sentences. As a result, the suicide-related forensic assessment procedure is conducting assessments to see what risk factors inmates have. Also, to communicate with the correctional staff if an immate is at risk of ending their own life.
What are the primary risk factors that a forensic professional should be concerned about?
A forensic professional should be concerned about any risk factor. I did mention some risk fators above but some others include lack of sleep, social isolation, being scared, nervousness, and being in a constant fight or flight response. The more risk factors present, the more concerned and vigilant one should be. Therefore, it is important to assess every inmate upon entering a correctional facility for these risk factors so they can get the help they need and be put in an area where staff frequently visit.
How might the risk factors differ in an outpatient inmate population?
In some cases, inmmates can leave the prison whether it's for medical reasons or work. Therefore, the risk of suicidal behavior can change. According to Karnick et al (2022), the most common symptoms of outpatients with suicide ideations include trauma, anxiety, depression, guilt, PTSD, and feeling like a burden to family and friends. Being worried was the most common symptom among outpatients, and social anxiety along with avoidant behavior faced with uncertainty was the second (Karnick et al, 2022). As a result, these are different symptoms that when compared to the prison article because they lead different lives and everyone is different. Lastly, outpatients can leave the facility and do not have to be locked up 24/7. Social isolation is more of a risk factor for an inmate population versus an outpatient inmate population.
References:
Karnick, A. T., Fergerson, A. K., Caulfield, N. M., Buerke, M., Albanese, B. J., Schmidt, N. B., & Capron, D. W. (2022). Toward an integrative model of transdiagnostic risk factors and suicide: A network comparison of psychiatric outpatients. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 154, 252-260.
Maciej Muskala. (2024). Penitentiary risk factors for suicide by inmates. Probacja, 1, 79-98.
Smith, A. (2013). Suicide kills more inmatesthan homocides, overdoses, accidents combined. NBC News.