Suicide Risk and Self-Harm in Corrections, Prevalence and Estimates

When compared to the general population, individuals involved in the criminal justice system are at increased risk of suicide and self-harm. Overall, death by suicide, suicide ideation, and self-harm are rare occurrences within the general population. Research indicates that when examined in the general population in 2014, death by suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 42,773 deaths or 1.6% of all deaths. Worldwide, approximately 800,000 individuals die by suicide each year. Furthermore, 0.6% of individuals in the general population attempt suicide, and 3.3% experience suicide ideation at some point in their lives. Additionally, approximately 1–4% of adults and 13–23% of adolescents in the general population engage in self-harm without the intention to die.

When comparing these data from ...