[VISCI--Viennese Instrument for Suicidality in Correctional Institutions].
OBJECTIVE
The assessment and estimation of suicidal risk constitutes a serious and difficult task for any mental health professional. If we add to this the challenges that may be presented by a specific population at higher risk with little possibilities for thorough psychiatric evaluation, the task appears even more complicated.


METHODS
The "Viennese Instrument for Suicidality in Correctional Institutions" ("VISCI") presented here is based on the results of a case control study including all suicides in all Austrian jails and prisons between 1975 and 1999 and on research on literature examining suicide prevention in general and prison population in particular.


RESULTS
Sensitivity and specificity of VISCI are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
As suicide rates in custody are higher than in the general population, and these rates have been increasing within the last 20 years, the screening of offenders newly admitted to prison for their propensity to suicide is necessary to give a better estimation of the suicide risk and hopefully to stop further increase of suicide rates in jails and prisons.
Frottier
Patrick
P
Justizanstalt Mittersteig, Wien/Osterreich.
König
Franz
F
Matschnig
Teresa
T
Seyringer
Michaela-Elena
ME
Frühwald
Stefan
S
D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention