Correctional Policy and Attempted Suicide Among Transgender Individuals

Abstract

Little research has examined the link between incarceration and suicide among transgender individuals. Transgender inmates face unique circumstances within the correctional setting that expose them to potentially harmful conditions, including correctional policies that limit access to proper medical care and expose them to threats of harassment and violence. Using data from the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey, this article examines the link between incarceration and suicide among transgender individuals by focusing on the link between correctional policies and attempted suicide among transgender individuals who have been incarcerated. Multivariate results suggest that correctional policies regarding health care and housing may deleteriously impact transgender inmates.