Health professionals talk about the challenges of suicide prevention in two correctional centres in South Africa

Abstract

Suicide is the leading cause of death among offenders in correctional facilities in many parts of the world. While epidemiological data have described the extent and scope of the problem, no research has documented the experiences and insights of health professionals who are tasked with providing care to suicidal offenders in South African correctional centres. It is within this context that we set out to document the experiences of a group of health professionals working in two correctional facilities in South Africa. We were interested in learning from them about their perceptions of the factors that contribute to suicidal behaviour among offenders and their suggestions for suicide prevention. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a group of health professionals (N = 10). Data were analysed using thematic analysis and an inductive approach was adopted for coding the data. The participants describe a number of structural and contextual factors which they believe make correctional centres in South Africa unsafe, thus increasing the risk of suicidal behaviour among offenders and hindering suicide prevention efforts within the two correctional centres where data were collected. These factors include high levels of psychopathology, trauma, substance abuse, violence, gangsterism, overcrowding, inadequate mental health care resources, and problems relating to stigma. These findings highlight human rights and mental health issues facing offenders and draw attention to conditions within correctional centres that need attention as part of any national suicide prevention strategy in South Africa.