Jail duration, demographic characteristics of offenders, and acquired suicide capability

Abstract

The study sought to predict the acquired capability for suicide from length of sentence and socio-demographic characteristics of offenders in a Nigerian prison population. Participants were 139 inmates (mean age = 33.67, SD = 9.24years; mean length of stay = 6.25 years, SD = 5.02years), males (95.7%), They were predominantly incarcerated for armed robbery (39.6%), burglary/stealing (18.0%), homicide (9.4%), and rape (8.6%) in Abeokuta prisons, Nigeria. The participants completed the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale, and socio-demographic characteristic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, t-test for independence, and multiple regression analysis were computed to predict suicidal capability among prison population from their socio-demographics. Results revealed that demographic characteristics of type of offence, family membership, and type of family were co-joint predictors of suicide capability among prison inmates. Shorter duration of stay (short termers), being incarcerated for aggravated assault, drug related offences, and stealing were risk factors for acquired suicide capability. The role of family membership and family type were negligible as suicidal risk factors. Correctional services should attend to offender demographics in their suicide prevention support for offenders.