Crisis
-
Background: Suicide is the leading cause of death in Swiss prisons. The Federal Statistics Office provides numbers but no further details. Previous studies worldwide have focused on identifying suicide risk factors in prisoners, but very few have looked at the methods used in relation to prevention strategies. ⋯ Conclusion: Swiss prison suicides do not differ from those in other countries regarding sociodemographic details and the most common method of hanging. Anchoring devices, even low ones, should be avoided to prevent hanging and medication intake should be monitored. As prisoners use tricyclic antidepressants to die by suicide, we recommend the general monitoring of intake.