Socio-cultural factors that influence self-injury with suicidal intent in male prisoners

Abstract

Using an intersectional lens, the aim of this study is to gain insight, and consider the application of the motivational and protective socio-cultural factors documented within service-user interviews as part of the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) documentation. Firstly, this study utilises descriptive statistics to compare trends within HMP Bandwidth to National Statistics. This is followed by the main body of research: a reflexive, thematic analysis on six ACCT documents, taken from male prisoners who have expressed a desire or have physically engaged in self-injury within the general population of the reception prison. Findings revealed three themes that influenced the risk of self-injury within a male prison: adjusting to the physical prison regime, social factors of incarceration and distress surrounding medication. Findings are then discussed in detail through sub-themes, with reference to risk and protective factors, and practical recommendations. Conclusions indicate that socio-cultural factors and situational factors underlie the majority of motivational and protective factors for men who self-injure within prison, particularly Adverse Childhood Experiences and those incarcerated for the first-time.