Inmate Self-Injurious Behaviors: Distinguishing Characteristics Within a Retrospective Study

The current study examines demographic, health functioning, and criminogenic correlates of self-injurious behaviors. Incident reports for all 28 South Carolina correctional facilities were collected during a 30-month period, evidencing 189 inmates who self-injure contrasted with 22,794 inmates who d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Criminal justice and behavior 2010-01, Vol.37 (1), p.81-96
Main Authors: Smith, Hayden P., Kaminski, Robert J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Correctional institutions
Criminal justice
Criminology
Distinguishing
Health
Health behavior
Imprisonment
Injuries
Mental health services
Prisoners
Self destructive behavior
Self injury
Selfinjury
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Summary:The current study examines demographic, health functioning, and criminogenic correlates of self-injurious behaviors. Incident reports for all 28 South Carolina correctional facilities were collected during a 30-month period, evidencing 189 inmates who self-injure contrasted with 22,794 inmates who do not. Self-injury was significantly associated with the disproportionate utilization of health resources, specifically through major mental health treatment and institutional restriction. Characteristics of incarcerated self-injurers revealed discernible maladjustment to the correctional milieu, with each self-injury incident being associated with a 37% increase in the number of disciplinary incidents. Moreover, the earlier incarceration period represented a period of greater risk. Each additional year in prison was associated with a 25% increase in self-injurious events, which then declined with further years of imprisonment. These unique characteristics are discussed, and salient policy implications are recommended.
ISSN:0093-8548
1552-3594
DOI:10.1177/0093854809348474