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Solitary confinement and risk of self-harm among jail inmates

Author

Listed:
  • Kaba, F.
  • Lewis, A.
  • Glowa-Kollisch, S.
  • Hadler, J.
  • Lee, D.
  • Alper, H.
  • Selling, D.
  • MacDonald, R.
  • Solimo, A.
  • Parsons, A.
  • Venters, H.

Abstract

Objectives. We sought to better understand acts of self-harm among inmates in correctional institutions. Methods. We analyzed data from medical records on 244 699 incarcerations in the New York City jail system from January 1, 2010, through January 31, 2013. Results. In 1303 (0.05%) of these incarcerations, 2182 acts of self-harm were committed, (103 potentially fatal and 7 fatal). Although only 7.3% of admissions included any solitary confinement, 53.3% of acts of self-harm and 45.0% of acts of potentially fatal self-harm occurred within this group. After we controlled for gender, age, race/ethnicity, serious mental illness, and length of stay, we found self-harm to be associated significantly with being in solitary confinement at least once, serious mental illness, being aged 18 years or younger, and being Latino or White, regardless of gender. Conclusions. These self-harm predictors are consistent with our clinical impressions as jail health service managers. Because of this concern, the New York City jail system has modified its practices to direct inmates with mental illness who violate jail rules to more clinical settings and eliminate solitary confinement for those with serious mental illness.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaba, F. & Lewis, A. & Glowa-Kollisch, S. & Hadler, J. & Lee, D. & Alper, H. & Selling, D. & MacDonald, R. & Solimo, A. & Parsons, A. & Venters, H., 2014. "Solitary confinement and risk of self-harm among jail inmates," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(3), pages 442-447.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301742_8
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301742
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    Cited by:

    1. Sarah Glowa-Kollisch & Fatos Kaba & Anthony Waters & Y. Jude Leung & Elizabeth Ford & Homer Venters, 2016. "From Punishment to Treatment: The “Clinical Alternative to Punitive Segregation” (CAPS) Program in New York City Jails," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-10, February.
    2. Caitlin Patler & Jeffrey O. Sacha & Nicholas Branic, 2018. "The black box within a black box: Solitary confinement practices in a subset of U.S. immigrant detention facilities," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 35(4), pages 435-465, December.

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