1. Suicide in Prisons: The data 1978-2014
Graham Towl
Professor of Forensic Psychology, Durham University, UK and former Chief Psychologist at the Ministry of Justice, UK.

2. Research Informed Policy and Practice (RIPP)
Context
Data
Findings
Policy implications
Practice applications
Future Directions

3. Context Public policy in England and Wales
Prisons in England and Wales
Prisoners in England and Wales

4. Data MoJ data:1978 – 2014, 2039 cases Time in prison Offence type
Gender
Ethnicity

5. Findings Confirmation of previous research
Time in individual prison key factor – disproportionate no. (very)early after custody – but not with lifers
Violent and sexual convictions (or on remand for either) high rates
Black prisoners underrepresented compared with white prisoners
High correlation between mental health needs and criminality

6. New Findings
Arson and criminal damage higher rates than for violent and sexual offenders
Gender – women at higher risk when younger, men as they age.
Similar percentages of SIDS for those being managed as suicidal independent of ethnicity
Over time a smaller overall percentage SIDs in early period of imprisonment

7. Policy implications
Continue with investment in local prisons and where possible reduce prisoner movements
Develop more segmented approach rather than ‘one size fits all’
Disinvest from induction screening tools because of base rate problem – best to assume that all are vulnerable over the first 14 days.
Staff continuity important in induction period in particular but more widely too.

8. Practice applications
Ensure that confirmatory findings are incorporated into risk assessments – e.g. periods of greatest risk.
Provisionally incorporate new findings too e.g. arson and criminal damage higher risk, age/gender.
Include suicide prevention as mandatory training for all staff to include those contracted in.
Include a routine assessment of suicide risk in forensic assessments

9. Future directions
Focus on implications and applications of research – ensure impact
More nuanced policy and practices
Risk assessments for reoffending to routinely include risk of suicide too.