Suicides in female prisoners in England and Wales, 1978–2004

We calculated, in narrow age bands, suicide rates for female prisoners compared with the general population between 1978 and 2004. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) for suicide was 20.7 (95% CI 16.7-25.7), with a higher excess in younger women (<25 years, SMR=40 (95% CI 29-57); >or=25 years, SMR=20 (95% CI 15-26)). There was a trend over time for SMRs to have increased, supporting the need for recent national initiatives for suicide prevention in prisoners.