Assignment task:
Suicide-related forensic assessments could be the Prison Suicide Risk Assessment Checklist (PSRAC), and the HCR-20 could be utilized as a risk assessment tool, but it cannot test for suicide specifically. Together, both of these assessments could be used to evaluate the inmate's historical data or prior behaviors such as previous suicide attempts, depression, anxiety, or family history of suicide (Mills & Kroner, 2005). The current functioning of the inmate may prompt a clinician or forensic psychologist to intervene for an evaluation, which can be marked by the same behaviors previously mentioned. The PSRAC is a checklist that is conducted through interview questions that evaluate the risk factors such as family history, depression, substance use, being in jail/prison, experiencing violence, and a lack of a support system. There are also behaviors that could be indicative of suicidal thoughts and behaviors that could be of concern as well, such as risky behaviors, engaging in hazing (such as initiations into gangs or hurting other inmates on behalf of a group), self-isolation, or having concerning thoughts of hurting themselves.
Primary risk factors that are a concern within the inmate population are depression, hopelessness, risk of violence, anxiety, and stress. Often, there is also violence involved and pressure to participate in gangs or violent activities. There are indicators that can help identify suicide indicators, which could be labeled as a "psychache" (Mills & Kroner, 2005). Mills & Kroner (2005) evaluate the different elevated areas that inmates may face, which include increased depression, anxiety, hypochondriasis, and self-depreciation.
Risk factors for outpatient inmates could be the same as those for inmates in jail or prison, especially if there is a lack of support or family willingness to help. Another underlying factor could be mental illness that may not be taken care of outside of jail or prison simply because it cannot be afforded, or resources are unavailable to help, which can then exacerbate symptoms in the individual (Karnick et al., 2022). Karnick et al. (2022) identify an interesting approach to suicide risk, which is using a network perspective that can help understand the intense and intricate relationships between risk factors and symptoms relating to suicide. This analysis may be able to help professionals understand the complexities of risk and suicide in a population that is used to the jail/prison system. Need Assignment Help?
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.
Mills, J., & Kroner, D. (2005, January). (PDF) screening for suicide risk factors in prison inmates: Evaluating the efficiency of the depression, hopelessness and suicide screening form (DHS). Research Gate.