With suicide being a leading cause of inmate deaths in jails and prisons, it is imperative that nurses have the knowledge and skills required to assess patients and implement appropriate interventions to identify and decrease risks when caring for the suicidal patient.

Educational Objectives:

Discuss statistics related to suicides in jails and prisons

Describe the nurse's role when caring for the patient at risk of self-harm

List nursing interventions for patients in correctional settings who are at risk of self-harm

Level: Basic