A descriptive analysis of self-harm reports among a sample of incarcerated adolescent males.
The present study examines 89 separate incidents of self-injurious behaviour displayed by 60 male young offenders, incidents which were recorded by prison staff on "self-harm" forms. The results show that the reasons for raising a self-harm form can be separated into two main categories: actual self-injury by the inmate or behaviours believed by staff to indicate a risk of self-injury. A believed risk of self-injury as opposed to actual self-injury was the most frequently reported reason for opening a self-harm form, with verbal threats of self-injury being the most frequently reported type of behaviour. Self-injury does appear to occur relatively early on in periods of custody and inmates who display self-injurious behaviour appear distinct from the rest of the prisoner population in a number of ways. Differences are also evident between those with only one form raised on them and those with more than one form raised. Directions for future research are discussed.
Ireland
J L
JL
Psychology Department, Ashworth Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*