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Considering the impact of COVID-19 on suicide risk among individuals in prison and during reentry

Sean M. Mitchell (Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA)
Nikki L. La Rosa (Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA)
Julianne Cary (Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA)
Sarah Sparks (Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA)

Journal of Criminal Psychology

ISSN: 2009-3829

Article publication date: 4 January 2021

Issue publication date: 3 August 2021

1904

Abstract

Purpose

This paper mains to bring attention to the potential impact COVID-19 could have on suicide risk among individuals who are incarcerated and those reentering the community after incarceration (i.e. reentry), with particular emphasis on the USA, as well as provide possible solutions to mitigate suicide risk.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an overview of the association between the COVID-19 pandemic policies and suicide, the vulnerabilities specific to prisoners during the COVID-19 pandemic, relevant suicide risk factors among prisoners, the possible impact of COVID-19 on suicide risk during reentry and proposed solutions for moving forward to mitigate both risks for COVID-19 and suicide.

Findings

This paper highlights that prisoners and individuals reentering the community are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and suicide risk and COVID-19-related stressors may further exacerbate known suicide risk factors (e.g. psychiatric symptoms, lack of positive social ties, low feelings of belonging, feelings of burden, economic problems) and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This paper also discusses barriers (e.g. lack of funds, access to health and mental health care, COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment) to managing COVID-19 and suicide risk within prisons and during reentry.

Originality/value

This paper provides a review of scalable solutions that could mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and suicide risk during this pandemic among prisoners and those reentering the community, such as psychoeducation, self-help stress management, telehealth services, increased access and reduced cost of phone calls, reduced or eliminated cost of soap and sanitization supplies in prisons and early release programs.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: The time for this work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (L30 MH120575).

Citation

Mitchell, S.M., La Rosa, N.L., Cary, J. and Sparks, S. (2021), "Considering the impact of COVID-19 on suicide risk among individuals in prison and during reentry", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 240-253. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-10-2020-0044

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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