Suicide rates among people who are incarcerated are higher than among people of a similar age in the general population. Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to update evidence on suicide in prison, investigate new associations, and improve the precision of estimated effect sizes of previously identified risk factors.

They searched five bibliographic databases for quantitative studies that examined risk factors for suicide among people in prison compared with controls in the general prison population. The 77 studies from 27 countries included in the analysis reported on 35,351 suicides.

The demographic factors most strongly associated with suicide risk were White race or ethnicity, being married, and male sex. Criminological factors included remand status and serving a life sentence. An increased risk of suicide was also associated with conviction for criminal homicide, sexual offenses, and other violent offenses. The strongest clinical risk factors were suicidal ideation during the current prison sentence, a history of attempted suicide or self-harm, and being prescribed psychotropic medications. Institutional factors associated with an increased risk of suicide included being in a single cell and having no social visits.