The Effect of Incarceration Experiences on Suicide Attempts among Transgender Individuals

• In Event: Posters II

Abstract

In many states, correctional policies fail to adequately address the issues that arise due to the incarceration of transgender inmates, particularly with respect to correctional facility assignment and access to proper medical and mental health care. As a result, many transgender inmates are placed into situations which make them particularly vulnerable to harassment and violence at the hands of correctional officers and inmates. Such conditions can lead to substantially damaging effects on the mental health of transgender inmates that experience them. Using data from the 2008-9 National Transgender Discrimination Survey we examine the impact of incarceration experiences on suicide attempts among transgender individuals. Our analysis indicates that deleterious incarceration experiences, involving harassment, violence, and inadequate access to health care, substantially impact the chances of attempting suicide among transgender individuals. These results suggest that adjustment of correctional policies concerning transgender inmates may be needed in order to improve the experiences of one of the more marginalized groups within society.

Authors

• Leah Drakeford, Louisiana State University

• Emily Blosser, Louisiana State University