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

¹ University of South Carolina, Columbia
² University of South Carolina, Columbia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: SmithHP{at}mailbox.sc.edu.

	Abstract

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 selfinjury 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.

First published on October 20, 2009
Criminal Justice and Behavior 2009, doi:10.1177/0093854809348474


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