SU-RISK Project. Multilevel detection, management, and prevention of suicide risk in Spanish prisons

The SU-RISK study (Interaction of Environmental and Relational Factors on Suicidal Behavior in Spanish Penitentiary Centres) addresses the detection and assessment of environmental and relational risk factors associated with suicidal behavior and non-suicidal self-injury in prison settings.

The project involves surveys of both incarcerated individuals and professionals across the 9 penitentiary centres of Catalonia, gathering sociodemographic, environmental (architecture, design, and technology), relational, and attitudinal data on suicidal behavior. Its aim is to understand how human and contextual factors —such as interpersonal relationships, lack of green spaces, sunlight exposure, overcrowding, or health system management— interact to influence the risk of suicidal behavior and non-suicidal self-injury.

This project holds particular relevance, as its findings are expected to improve risk detection and its associated factors, with a direct impact on the wellbeing of incarcerated individuals and the health of prison staff.

The SU-RISK project is carried out in collaboration with the Departament de Justícia i Qualitat Democràtica de Catalunya, Serveis Penitenciaris (Penal Execution, Reintegration and Juvenile Justice), and is part of research projects supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Acción Estratégica en Salud 2023, ref.: PI23/00085) and the Comunidad de Madrid (Consejería de Educación, Ciencia y Universidades; ref.: PR37/24 TEC-2024/COM-224).