Comparison Of Self-Harm And Suicide Attempts In UK Prisons

Research proposal Examining self harm and suicide attempts in UK prisons

Title of research project: To explore factors and/or behaviours associated with self-harm and suicide attempts of males who are servicing custody in UK prisons

1: Literature review

1:1 Introduction

Suicide is a complex phenomenon that has attracted the attention of philosophers, theologians, physicians and sociologists over time (Felthous, 1994). It is most common in prisoners, yet robust information on the full extent and characteristics of people at risk of self-harming and attempting suicide is scant. Further fuelled by media interest, a suicide in correctional facility can easily escalate into a political scandal. Therefore, the provision of adequate suicide
These factors known are to be of greater importance, than criminal history and socio-demographic factors, which were mostly associated with near lethal attempts of prisoners.

1:3 Suicide prevention and intervention

Jails and prisons are repositories for protecting the health and well-being of their prison inmates and failure to do so could lead to legal challenges (Haw and Hadfield, 2011). Most jails have suicide prevention policies in place. Prevention polices help staff to communicate better with each other and identify priorities most important to them. The provision of prevention is to identify groups most vulnerable to suicide and look out for withdrawal signs (WHO, 2013). Once aware of signs, staff must voice their concerns and intervene.

1:4 vulnerable people at risk

Populations with most special concerns and at increased risk rates of suicide are identified as
It often leads to the cause of death. The most common factors of suicide include life events, behaviours, childhood trauma and near lethal suicidal attempts. Suicide rates are on the increase, especially high within females. The project aims to explore the factors of suicide and near lethal self harm between male offenders within six UK prisons.

Procedure:
A semi structure interview schedule will be devised by the researcher to investigate factors and/or behaviours associated with suicide and near lethal self harm.

Ethical considerations (this will include confidentiality, avoidance of deception, consent, protection of participants and debriefing)
Recruitment of the participants will involve a standard consent procedure following University guidelines. Participants will be invited to participate in the study via posters displayed in the prisons. Once prisoners have agreed to participate, the researcher will provide participants with an information sheet, an informed consent form, a participant feedback sheet (i.e. this will inform participants of the outcomes and contributions their input made). Participants will be allowed to ask the researcher questions and it will be stressed that they have the right to refuse taking part in the study and there will be no actions taken against their refusal. They also have the opportunity to withdraw their involvement at any time. It is anticipated that no harm or detrimental effects