Recent criminal offending and suicide attempts: a national sample

Few studies have assessed the risk of suicide and suicidal behavior among the community-residing population with recent criminal
justice involvement despite evidence of high rates of suicide in jails and prisons. This study assessed the association between
recent arrest history and a suicide attempt in the previous year including multiple arrests and specific offense categories
using a national representative sample of adults.

Data were derived from 2 years of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008 and 2010), a nationally representative
cross-sectional survey of non-institutionalized US adults. Suicide attempts in the previous year based on self-report were
assessed in relation to recent arrest history while accounting for socio-demographic factors, mental and physical health status
and substance use.

Suicide attempts in the previous year are relatively common among those with recent arrests (2.3 %) compared to the general
US population (0.4 %), with much higher prevalence among those with multiple recent arrests or charges (4.5 %). The prevalence
of recent suicide attempts among those with multiple recent arrests was highest among adults aged 25–34 (5.7 %), with similar
risks between men and women, and across racial and ethnic subgroups. There was no association between arrests prior to the
most recent year and recent suicide attempts.

Suicide attempts are common among the non-institutionalized population of US adults with recent criminal justice involvement.
Suicide prevention efforts in the criminal justice system should extend to clients who remain in the community both during
and immediately following periods of court-processing. Future research is needed to better identify case and client characteristics
indicating the highest suicide risk.