Despite the growing body of research on individuals convicted of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), relatively little is known about the prevalence of mental disorders in this population. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of mental disorders among individuals convicted of CSEM offenses.

This cross-sectional study examined data from 66 individuals serving a sentence for CSEM offenses in the Austrian prison system who underwent a clinical assessment between 2002 and 2020. Diagnoses were based on the German version of the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I and Axis II disorders.

In the total sample, n = 53 individuals (80.3%) were diagnosed with a mental disorder. Twenty-seven individuals (40.9%) had an Axis I disorder and n = 47 (71.2%) had an Axis II disorder. More than two-thirds of the sample, n = 47 (71.2%), had a personality disorder diagnosis, with cluster B personality disorders being the most frequent mental disorders. More than half of the sample, n = 43 (65.2%), had a diagnosis of pedophilic disorder, of which n = 9 (13.6%) were of the exclusive type. Twenty-eight persons (42.4%) showed evidence of a hypersexual disorder.

In line with previous research, the present sample of convicted CSEM offenders showed a comparatively high prevalence of personality disorders and paraphilic disorders, particularly pedophilic disorders. Additionally, the rate of hypersexual disorder symptoms was considerably high. These findings should be considered for the development of successful risk management strategies for this population.

Suicide rates in correctional institutions have been increasing during the last decades. There has been little interest in whether suicidal ideation and intent has been documented by non-medical prison staff (reports of attempted suicide, suicide threats, self-harm), and whether these signs of suicidality had the consequence of adequate intervention efforts.

The personal files of inmates who committed suicide in the 29 Austrian jails and prisons during the last 25 years (1975–1999) were included. We analysed personal characteristics, criminological data, circumstances of custody and information about psychiatric disorders and treatment.

Of a total of 250 suicides, 220 personal files were available and included. Suicide attempts were known in 50% of all suicides and 37% had expressed suicidality. In >20%, non-medical staff had documented signs of suicidality, but no further preventive action (e.g. referral to psychiatric care) had taken place.

Signs of suicidality play an important role in vulnerability profiles for jail and prison suicides and should have the minimal consequence of further psychiatric care.

Las tasas de suicidio en las instituciones correccionales han aumentado durante las últimas décadas. Ha habido poco interés en si el personal de prisiones no médico ha informado por escrito de la ideación y la intención suicidas (informes de intento de suicidio, amenazas de suicidio, daño autoinfligido) y si estos signos de suicidalidad tuvieron como consecuencia esfuerzos de intervención adecuados.

Se incluyeron los expedientes personales de los intemos que se suicidaron en 29 cárceles y prisiones austríacas durante los 25 últimos años (1975-1999). Analizamos las características personales, los datos criminológicos, las circunstancias de la custodia y la información sobre los trastornos psiquiátricos y el tratamiento.

De un total de 250 suicidios, 220 expedientes personales estaban disponibles y se incluyeron. Se conocían intentos de suicidio en el 50% de todos los suicidios y el 37% había expresado suicidalidad. En más del 20%, el personal no médico había informado por escrito signos de suicidalidad, pero no había tenido lugar ninguna acción preventiva posterior (por ejemplo, la derivación a asistencia psiquiátrica).

Los signos de suicidalidad desempeñan un papel importante en los perfiles de vulnerabilidad para los suicidios en la cárcel y en prisión, y deben tener como consecuencia mínima una asistencia psiquiátrica posterior.