Through a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), U.S. Justice Department, the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives (NCIA) is currently conducting a national study on jail suicides. The 18-month project, representing the third such national study conducted by NCIA for NIC (e.g., see And Darkness Closes: A National Study of Jail Suicides in 1981 and the National Study of Jail Suicides: Seven Years Later in 1988), will determine the extent and distribution of jail suicides (i.e., city, county, and police department facilities) during 2005 and 2006, and gather descriptive data on demographic characteristics of each victim, characteristics of the incident, and characteristics of the jail facility which sustained the suicide. NCIA will then develop a report of the findings to be utilized as a resource tool for both jail personnel in expanding their knowledge base, and correctional (as well as mental health and medical) administrators in creating and/or revising policies and training curricula on suicide prevention.

Data provided by individual agencies/facilities will be coded and held in the strictest confidence. Results of the study will be presented in summary fashion, thus preventing the linkage of any data to the particular agency/facility from which the information originated.

Initial surveys will be distributed in early 2007. Both NIC and NCIA would greatly appreciate the cooperation of all agencies/facilities receiving the initial survey request. For further information on the project, please contact Lindsay M. Hayes, Project Director, NCIA, 40 Lantern Lane, Mansfield., MA 02048, (508/337-8806), e-mail: lhayesta@msn.com