(Solitary confinement cells only, of course. We don't want any homicides.)

Seriously though, why are suicides discouraged in prisons? I would think that as many as 20% of inmates would gladly take their own life, given an accessible chance. I know I certainly would if I faced a sentence of 10 years or more. Think of the impact that would have on prison overpopulation! Ropes are cheap(well, not climbing ropes, but there's no need to splurge).

But to the contrary, lawsuits are regularly filed against prisons where suicides occur, including the murderer of Raleigh's own Stephanie Bennett: http://www.wral.com/news/5818203/detail.html

3/6/2006 8:15:08 PM

because society is against suicide

3/6/2006 8:19:33 PM

not all societies. The japanese are a notable example.

3/6/2006 8:22:37 PM

have little booths the gaurds could take the inmates to where they can kill themselves if they want to.

3/6/2006 8:35:44 PM

Suicide Booth: "Please select mode of death. Quick and painless or slow and horrible."
Fry: "Yeah, I'd like to place a collect call?"
Suicide Booth: "You have selected slow and horrible."
Bender: "Great choice!"

3/6/2006 8:38:08 PM

^^ That'll work. You'd want cameras all around the booth to ensure there were no coerced visits.

[Edited on March 6, 2006 at 8:46 PM. Reason : Why hasn't this been thought of before? I know prison wardens are at least as demented as I am.]

3/6/2006 8:44:54 PM

Some prisons are shady places, money exchange, corrupt guards, lots of rape etc... seems like people could be blackmailed into doing it... or murders faked to look like suicides... or people with lighter offenses being abused until they feel suicide is their only escape.

[Edited on March 6, 2006 at 9:09 PM. Reason : .]

3/6/2006 9:07:34 PM

as long as you have sheets or underwear

you can get the job done if you really want to

[/thread]

3/6/2006 9:36:40 PM

the real question is why isn't every jail cell equipped with very grumpy guards with automatic weapons?

with itchy trigger fingers.

and loose accountability policy.

and a lax warden.

3/6/2006 9:56:39 PM

you people are inhumane morons

3/6/2006 9:59:25 PM

One could argue that long-term confinement is, itself, inhumane. Not me, but it could be argued.

Sheets will work, but it's a risky affair, and there's usually nowhere to hang them from. Torture victims have been known to slam their head into the wall/floor/toilet in suicide attempts, but that's surprisingly difficult and ineffective as well.

3/6/2006 10:17:49 PM

Quote :

"not all societies. The japanese are a notable example."

Only in certain circumstances, and it's not as accepted as it used to be.

3/7/2006 12:18:28 AM

Prison Rodeo for the win.

3/7/2006 12:19:37 AM

^^ yeah, only if you meet on a website.

3/7/2006 12:50:47 AM

if an inmate really wants to kill themselves, there are countless other ways that are a lot more likely to succeed.

3/7/2006 2:05:31 AM

yeah, like trying to escape.

in that situation, the inmate has nothing to lose.

3/7/2006 2:27:59 AM

Quote :

"people with lighter offenses being abused until they feel suicide is their only escape."

/thread

3/7/2006 7:36:36 AM

^^True.

That's how I'd do it. Either way you win.

3/7/2006 9:38:12 AM