Fact Check: "Suicide attempts are reported among detainees in immigration detention facilities."
What We Know
Suicide rates among detainees in U.S. immigration detention facilities have been a growing concern. A study conducted on the annual suicide rates of migrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from 2010 to 2020 revealed that the mean number of suicides per 100,000 person-years was 3.3 from 2010 to 2019. However, in 2020, this rate surged to 17.4 suicides per 100,000 person-years, indicating a significant increase in suicide attempts and completions during that year (source-1).
Reports have also highlighted that mental health care for detainees is often inadequate, with critical staff shortages and failures to provide necessary mental health services, which contribute to the heightened risk of suicide among this vulnerable population (source-1). Additionally, a report indicated that in 2020, the proportion of deaths attributed to suicide in ICE detention centers doubled compared to previous years, further underscoring the mental health crisis within these facilities (source-1).
Furthermore, a report from The Hill noted a series of suicide attempts at a New Mexico immigration detention facility, emphasizing the urgent need for improved mental health treatment outcomes in the system (source-5).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that suicide attempts are reported among detainees in immigration detention facilities is robust. The data from the retrospective cohort study on ICE detainees provides a clear statistical basis for the assertion, showing a marked increase in suicide rates in 2020 compared to the previous decade (source-1). This increase correlates with reports of deteriorating mental health conditions exacerbated by inadequate care and the stressors associated with prolonged detention.
The source of this data is credible, as it is derived from a peer-reviewed study published in a reputable medical journal, which utilized publicly available data from ICE's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Library and other official reports (source-1).
Additionally, the report from The Hill provides anecdotal evidence of suicide attempts, which, while less quantitative, reinforces the findings of the statistical study by highlighting ongoing mental health issues within the detention system (source-5).
In contrast, the report from O'Neill discusses the broader context of suicide in detention facilities, including immigration detention centers, and notes that deaths in these facilities are often overlooked, further supporting the claim that mental health issues are prevalent among detainees (source-2).
Conclusion
The claim that "suicide attempts are reported among detainees in immigration detention facilities" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources indicates a significant increase in suicide rates among ICE detainees, particularly in 2020, alongside reports of inadequate mental health care and the psychological stressors associated with detention. These findings collectively underscore the urgent need for improved mental health services and oversight within immigration detention facilities.
Sources
- Suicide rates of migrants in United States immigration detention (2010–2020)
- Suicide in Prisons and Jails: A Growing Concern - O'Neill
- Concerns Grow Over Dire Conditions in Immigrant Detention
- Suicide attempts highlight mental health concerns in immigrant detention
- ‘They're Not Breathing’: Inside the Chaos of ICE Detention ... - WIRED
