Suicide prevention in correctional institutions: The significance of solitary cell accommodation

The decision whether admitted inmates should be placed in solitary cells or shared cells has to take place immediately after intake. This decision can have major impact on the occurrence of suicide in custody. The 'Viennese Instrument for Suicidality in Correctional Institutions' presented here is based on the results of a case-control study examining suicide prevention in general and within the prison population in particular. The administration of this instrument helps the officers to decide about the accommodation without an immediate psychiatric or psychological assessment. The screening of newly admitted offenders to prison for suicidality is necessary to better estimate the suicide risk.