Read Max, McCrae Niall
Author Affiliations: King's College London.
J Forensic Nurs. 2016 Jan-Mar;12(1):13-8. doi: 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000104.
Suicide is a global problem in prisons. As in society generally, gay men in prison have a higher risk of attempting suicide compared with their heterosexual peers. The Howard League for Penal Reform Sex in Prison Commission 2015 reveals a pervasive culture of consensual and coercive sexual relations, with gay men more likely to be targeted for unsolicited sex. Research shows an inadequate institutional response to such abuse. Victims of sexual assault in prison have high rates of psychological problems, which can lead to self-harm and suicide. The Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork procedure to assess and manage risk of suicide in prisoners, however, makes no reference to the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender prison population, despite national policy and best practice guidance that advocates an individualized approach to suicide risk with due consideration of vulnerable group status. This article argues that the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork procedure should be tuned to the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender prisoners are not exposed to the double jeopardy of sexual assault and related suicidal tendencies.
自杀是监狱中的一个全球性问题。与整个社会的情况一样，监狱中的男同性恋者比异性恋同龄人有更高的自杀未遂风险。2015年霍华德刑法改革联盟监狱性行为委员会揭示了一种普遍存在的自愿和强迫性关系文化，男同性恋者更有可能成为主动性行为的目标。研究表明，机构对这种虐待行为的应对不足。监狱中性侵犯的受害者有很高的心理问题发生率，这可能导致自我伤害和自杀。然而，用于评估和管理囚犯自杀风险的“评估、羁押照护与团队合作”程序，并未提及女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋和跨性别囚犯群体的需求，尽管国家政策和最佳实践指南主张采用个性化方法评估自杀风险，并适当考虑弱势群体地位。本文认为，“评估、羁押照护与团队合作”程序应根据2010年《平等法案》的要求进行调整，以确保女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋和跨性别囚犯不会面临性侵犯和相关自杀倾向的双重危险。
