Deliberate self-harm in adult prisoners: psychology

Deliberate self-harm, with or without suicidal intent, is highly prevalent in prison populations. In this chapter, relevant definitions of self-harm are presented, and self-harm behavior is contextualized within diagnostic categories of mental health disorders. Prevalence rates, gender differences and other demographic and comorbidity factors are reviewed. Functionality of self-harm is examined and informed by relevant theories of suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm. Research into risk assessment and evaluation of screening tools and treatments of self-harm and associated mental health disorders in prisons are reviewed. Lastly, challenges of complex mental health presentations and limited mental health support services are identified as well as the need for multicomponent treatment programs that are timely in provision and rigorous in evidence-based efficiency.