Suicide in Jails and Prisons—and How Mindfulness Helps
- learning410
- Oct 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 8
Explore how mindfulness and evidence-based programs like Path of Freedom® can reduce suicide risk and improve mental health for incarcerated individuals. Discover practical strategies, key research findings, and the impact of mindfulness in correctional settings.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death behind bars. In the United States, the suicide rate for inmates is estimated at 50 per 100,000, significantly higher than the national average for the general population. Watchdog reports have linked these preventable in-custody deaths, including suicides, to chronic failures such as inadequate mental-health care and weak emergency response systems. To effectively address this issue, decision-makers can benchmark their facility's rates against this national statistic to identify areas in need of urgent intervention. [^1]
While suicide rates in the general community remain historically high, incarcerated people face compounded risks—isolation, solitary confinement, disrupted social ties, substance withdrawal, and limited access to care.[^2]
Risk Higher Behind Bars
Studies highlight both general risk factors (untreated mental illness, prior suicide attempts) and carceral-specific risks (single-cell housing, victimization, segregation).[^3] Jails often show higher suicide rates than prisons, especially during the first days of detention.[^4] Many of these factors are modifiable through better policy and access to care.
Where Mindfulness Fits In
Mindfulness is not a cure-all, but a growing body of research suggests it can act as a protective factor in high-stress environments:
Reduces suicidal ideation. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and its adaptations for suicide prevention have been shown in randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses to reduce suicidal thoughts and relapse risk.[^5]
Improves emotion regulation. Reviews of meditation programs in correctional settings consistently find improvements in mood, anger management, and self-regulation.[^6]
Supports public-health approaches. The World Health Organization emphasizes multi-layered prevention: identifying risk, strengthening coping skills, and improving access to care—areas where mindfulness practices fit naturally.[^7]
Voices from Inside
PMI’s work brings these tools into facilities where despair runs high. Participants often describe mindfulness as life-saving:
“I felt lighter and liberated after past choices and circumstances no longer controlled me.” —Daniel, Path of Freedom participant
“In here we feel just about everything you could feel. But with the tools that we learn, we can respond instead of react.” —Path of Freedom participant
These voices illustrate that mindfulness doesn’t erase pain, but transforms the relationship to suffering—a shift that can be the first wedge against hopelessness.
Mindfulness Tools
Pause & notice. This practice involves catching distress signals before they escalate, which can reduce perceived burdensomeness by fostering self-awareness and responsiveness to emotional cues.
Name & navigate. Labelling emotions loosens their grip.
Decentering. Seeing thoughts as events, not facts, interrupts suicidal spirals—a key MBCT mechanism.[^5]
Connect. Practicing in groups reduces isolation and builds belonging, protective against suicide.[^3]
What PMI Offers
Path of Freedom® (PoF): A mindfulness-based emotional intelligence curriculum adapted for correctional facilities, emphasizing self-regulation and purpose.[^8] Available on the Edovo app and as a correspondence course.
Books Behind Bars: Providing meditation and mindfulness resources to facilities without regular classes, ensuring access even under restrictions.[^8]
Implementation Tips for Facilities
Prioritize high-risk housing units (segregation, new admissions). Suicide risk is sharply elevated in single-cell and solitary housing.[^3]
Blend mindfulness with clinical care. Programs like MBCT complement psychiatric treatment, not replace it.[^5]
Train staff and incarcerated people together. Shared language around stress and de-escalation fosters safer environments.[^1]
Track outcomes beyond infractions. Monitor mood, sleep, and self-harm watch placements to measure early protective effects.[^6]
Realistic Hope
The carceral environment will never be easy. But evidence-based suicide prevention combined with mindfulness training can save lives. As one practitioner noted, these tools can “break the cycle of negative thoughts” and pave the way to stability and a sense of meaning.
If you or someone you supervise is in crisis
In the U.S., dial or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
In custody, alert staff immediately and follow local emergency procedures.
Bring PMI to your facility.
PMI collaborates with jails, prisons, and reentry programs to deliver secular, evidence-based mindfulness education. To bring Path of Freedom to your facility or discuss implementation options, email us here or visit our website to get started.
Footnotes
[^1]: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General. Review of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Handling of Inmate Deaths. 2024.
[^2]: World Health Organization. Suicide Worldwide in 2019: Global Health Estimates. Geneva: WHO, 2021.
[^3]: Fazel, S. et al. “Suicide in prisons: an international study of prevalence and contributory factors.” The Lancet Psychiatry, 2017.
[^4]: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Mortality in Correctional Institutions (MCI) Statistical Tables. 2023.
[^5]: Segal, Z., Williams, J.M.G., & Teasdale, J. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression. Guilford, 2018; Barnhofer, T. et al. “MBCT for suicidal depression.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2009.
[^6]: Shonin, E., Van Gordon, W., & Griffiths, M. “Mindfulness in Correctional Settings: A Review.” Aggression and Violent Behavior, 2013.
[^7]: World Health Organization. Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative. Geneva: WHO, 2014.
[^8]: Prison Mindfulness Institute. Path of Freedom® Program Description. PMI website, 2024.
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