An Analysis of Mortality Among Current and Former Correctional Officers in France Between 1990 and 2008

For the majority of correctional officers, working in a prison presents a unique work environment with specific occupational hazards (stress, feelings of insecurity, etc.). In this cohort study, the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance analyzed the causes of death among individuals who served as correctional officers between 1990 and 2008—a total of more than 40,000 people. Their all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates were compared to those of the general French population over the same period using age- and year-standardized mortality ratios (SMR). The 1,754 deaths observed between 1990 and 2008 represent a lower-than-expected all-cause mortality rate typically seen in worker cohorts. However, a statistically significant excess of suicides (+21%) was observed among men. This finding was observed between 1990 and 2008, with no worsening or improvement over time. The excess specifically concerns the occupations of correctional officer and technical assistant. No positive association was observed between the occupational indicators studied (type of facility, prison occupancy rate) and the risk of suicide. This excess suicide rate is consistent with data from the literature. Although the available data do not allow us to determine the extent to which occupational factors may have contributed to suicides among prison staff, the results underscore the importance of continuing prevention measures, epidemiological monitoring, and studies in this population to better understand the causes of this excess mortality by suicide.

Author(s): Moisan Frédéric, Dourlat Thomas, Marchand Jean-Luc

Publishing year: 2016

Pages: 176-82

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2016, n° 10, p. 176-82

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