Suicidal behavior of convicted, suspects and accused in penitentiary institutions ²⁵²⁶

Based on the analysis of statistical data of the Federal Penitentiary Service and other sources, the article shows the trends of suicidal behavior of persons held in detention (suspects, accused and convicted) for the last 10 years. We conducted a comparative analysis of its indicators in penitentiary systems of a number of foreign countries, as well as among the civilian population. We found that in almost all the countries, the suicide rates in prisons are 2-3 times higher than in the general population. The authors set out their vision of the reasons why, in Russia in the 90s and up to 2005, there was a different trend: the population suicide rate was higher than among those convicted, and why for the past ten years, the number of suicides in prison has been steadily increasing. The article discusses the crisis periods of suicide risk in persons who are in detention.

Keywords: suicide, suicide rates, crisis situation, psychological counseling, depression, blackmailing behavior, risk factors, detention center, penitentiary institution.

Column: The Penitentiary Psychology and Penal Practice