Solitary Confinement and Risk of Self-Harm Among Jail Inmates

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301742
• Publication Date: 2014-02-12T21:06:31Z
• Authors: Fatos Kaba; Andrea Lewis; Sarah Glowa-Kollisch; James Hadler; David Lee; Howard Alper; Daniel Selling; Ross MacDonald; Angela Solimo; Amanda Parsons; Homer Venters
• Keywords: Solitary confinement

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