The most pressing problem for the prison system could be considered suicide. According to the World Health Organization (2000), suicide is often the most common cause of death in correctional settings. Jails and prisons are responsible for protecting the health and safety of their inmate population. Failure to do so may be subject to legal challenge. On this basis, the World Health Organization (2000) also states that media interest can fuel this phenomenon: a suicide in a correctional facility can easily escalate into a political scandal. Therefore, the provision of adequate suicide prevention and intervention services is beneficial to both the inmates and the institution in which the services are provided (World Health Organization, 2000, p5). Correctional settings differ with respect to inmate populations and local conditions. according to the World Health Organization (2007, p7), short-term prisoners, remand prisoners, sentenced prisoners, harsh sentencing practices, overcrowding, time spent in prison, sanitary conditions, stress levels and access to health services basic or mental health. Each of these factors can influence suicide rates in different ways. However, it is still possible to reduce suicides in correctional settings by adhering to certain basic principles and procedures (World Health Organization, 2007, p8). Suicide in the community is a serious health problem. The World Health Organization estimates that a suicide attempt occurs approximately every three seconds and a successful suicide occurs approximately every minute. This means that more people die from suicide than from armed conflict. Therefore, reducing suicide has become an important international health goal...... middle of article...... between the United States and Canada Liebling, A (1994) Suicide Among Women Prisoners : Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, Oxford: Blackwell Liebling, A (2001) Suicides in prison: ten years later: Institute of Criminology Cambridge Lloyd, C (1990) Suicide and self-harm in prison: a review of the literature: Crown copyright LondonShneidman (1973: 159) cited by Libeling Suicides in prison ten years later. . References not availableTowl, G. Snow, L. & McHugh, M. (2002) Suicide in Prisons: Blackwell Publishers Ltd A Blackwell Publishing Company, Oxford United KingdomTowl, G & Crighton, D. (2010) Forensic Psychology: Blackwell PublishingWorld Organization of Health (2000) Preventing Suicide A resource for prison officers: GenevaWorld Health Organization (2007) Preventing Suicide in Prisons and Prisons: Cataloging-in-Publication Data from the WHO Library. Geneva, Switzerland