Suicide in the CJS: Learning from and working with the experts
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Suicide in the Criminal Justice System: Learning from, and working with, the experts
IRAS ID
238150
Contact name
Jenny Shaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
People in contact with the criminal justice system (CJS) are recognised as a group at high risk of suicide. Self-inflicted deaths occur at all points in the criminal justice pathway, including deaths in or shortly after police custody; deaths in prison; upon release from prison and; whilst under community supervision or licence. This study forms part of a larger body of work that aims to identify the most effective ways of managing suicide and self-harm and preventing deaths by suicide across the CJS. To explore service strengths and operational and organisational elements of good practice in suicide prevention across the CJS, this qualitative work will be conducted in two parts that will run concurrently: \n\nPart 1:\n\nTime limited (maximum 2 hours), focused observations will be conducted in ‘best practice’ prison establishments over the course of 2 days. The observations will focus on the establishment processes specifically relating to safer custody and be conducted in a number of areas and as part of routine meetings, including: induction, healthcare, and ACCT review meetings.\n \nPart 2:\n\nSemi-structured interviews will be conducted with a range of professionals across police, court and probation agencies (e.g. police officers, probation managers, court liaison and healthcare professionals across the agencies) to explore how best practice in these sectors can be developed. Topic areas for discussion will include: elements of good practice; the use of screening and assessment tools; risk management and; staff training and barriers to implementing suicide prevention strategies.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
18/WA/0185
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion