DRC Suicides Correctional Institution Inspection Committee

September 23, 2013

Crisis Management and Suicide Prevention Policies

Inmates are screened for risk of suicide at reception and upon transfer to new institutions. Staff who observe any inmate exhibiting signs of suicidal risk are required to stay with the inmate until the inmate can be transported to a designated safe cell. Prior to placement in segregation, all inmates must be asked a suicide questionnaire. If an inmate indicates suicidal thoughts, the inmate must be placed on constant watch, with a referral to mental health for further assessment. Crisis precautions such as Constant Watch, Close Watch, and Mental Health Observation are used to monitor at-risk inmates. Three levels of suicide awareness and prevention training are provided to staff when hired and during annual training. Staff assigned to specialized units must complete intensive training.

National Statistics 2000-2010*

From 2000-2010, 1,994 inmates committed suicide in state prisons. Suicide was one of the five leading causes of death among inmates in all but two years. Male inmates accounted for 95 percent of all completed suicides. White inmates accounted for the majority of suicides among all racial categories, with 58 percent of all suicides, followed by Blacks and Hispanics. 32.8 percent of suicides were completed by inmates between 25 to 34 years of age, followed by inmates 35 to 44 years of age. Suicide accounted for a rate of 16 deaths per 100,000 nationally. States such as California, New York, and Illinois had rates higher than the national rate. Ohio had a rate of 12 per 100,000.
*http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/mljsp0010st.pdf

Key Statistics
The DRC experienced 88 completed suicides from 2000 to present. Inmates classified as white accounted for 76.1 percent of suicides. Higher security and reception institutions generally experience more suicides. The average age of inmates who committed suicide was 35.

Suicides by Race
Other 1%

Black 23%

The median length of time served was 1.8 years prior to suicide. Suicides generally happen in segregation or general population cells. Hanging is the most common method of suicide. Ohio is below the national rate of prison suicide.

White 76%

Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929

Suicides by Year* CY 2000 to present

12

The total number of suicides in any given year fluctuates.

10

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013YTD

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929

Suicides by Institution CY 2000 to present

14

12

Higher security and reception institutions generally experienced more suicides.

10

In addition, SOCF, CRC, WCI, and CCI all have/had residential treatment units for inmates in mental health crisis.
8

* Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation.

Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929

Suicides by Gender CY 2000 to present

83 5 Completed Suicides

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013 YTD

Total

100

122

106

116

91

64

60

49

36

36

780

Suicide Attempts

21

18

20

11

10

13

116

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The female suicide attempts consist only of ORW, FPRC, and NEPRC. Suicide attempts have reportedly decreased significantly due to two factors: (1) improved suicide precautionary measures and (2) a change in how certain behaviors are reported in terms of whether the person intended to end his life.
Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929

Suicides by Age of Inmate CY 2000 to present

30

The average age of inmates who committed suicide was 35. The median age was 34.

25 Number of Completed Suicides

The middle 50% fell between the ages of 26 and 40.

20

15

10

0 18-24 25-31 32-38 39-45 46-52 52 plus

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Suicides by Mental Health Caseload Status* CY 2000 to present

Suicide is not more common for inmates on the mental health caseload.

Unknown

Not on Mental Health Caseload

On Mental Health Caseload

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Data excludes the two most recent suicides.
Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929

Suicides by Time Incarcerated Prior to Suicide* CY 2000 to present

10 or more years

9 to 9.9 years

The average time incarcerated prior to suicide was 4.5 years. The median time incarcerated was 1.8 years. The middle 50% had been incarcerated between 0.4 and 5.6 years.

8 to 8.9 years

7 to 7.9 years

6 to 6.9 years

5 to 5.9 years

4 to 4.9 years

3 to 3.9 years

2 to 2.9 years

1 to 1.9 years

Under 1 year 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929

Length of Sentence for Inmates that Committed Suicide CY 2000 to present

2 3

Death Life

20

Indeterminate with Life

75% of inmates who committed suicide had sentences of 5 or more years.

14

Indeterminate Other

14

10 or more years

13

5 to 9.9 years

10

3 to 4.9 years

10

1 to 2.9 years Under 1 year

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. **Indeterminate Other includes any sentence with a minimum and a maximum of less than life.

Suicides by Location CY 2000 to present

35

30

Suicides are more common in segregation units or general population housing units, particularly cells.
25

20

15

10

0
Segregation General Population Specialized Mental Health Unit Reception Infirmary Death Row County

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Segregation includes both segregation and segregati on overflow. General population includes inmates housed in 5A or 4B units. Specialized mental health unit includes a residential treatment unit, Oakwood Correctional Facility, the Sugar Creek unit, and J4 at SOCF, which was serving as an intensive mental health unit.

Method of Suicide* CY 2000 to present

Laceration/Hanging Laceration Jumped Hanging Suffocation Unknown

The most common method of suicide is by hanging, generally using a bedsheet.

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929

Suicides by Month* CY 2000 to present

12

10

Contrary to popular belief, suicides are not more common during the holidays or winter months.
2

0 January February March April May June July August September October November December

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929

Suicides by Most Serious Crime CY 2000 to present

50

Suicides are generally committed by inmates convicted of violent crimes against persons. Of those convicted of a sex crime, almost all had been convicted of rape, attempted rape, or sexual battery.

40

86.4% of all suicides were committed by an inmate convicted of one of the following offenses (including attempts and aggravated offenses): murder, felonious assault, rape, robbery, sexual battery, or burglary.
30

20

10

0 Crimes Against Persons Sex Crimes Burglary Other

*Data provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929

Average Rate of Inmate Suicides per 100,000 State Prisoners CY 2000 to 2010*

National Rate: 16 Ohio Rate: 12

*Bureau of Justice Statistics, US Department of Justice. Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000 -2010. Accessed at http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/mljsp0010st.pdf
Correctional Institution Inspection Committee Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, PHONE (614) 466-6649, FAX (614) 466-6929