Suicide leading to legal reform

In some circumstances, the tragedy of a suicide death has brought about change to national law and policy.  Bringing public attention to orgnaisational or structural failings linked to suicide has prompted the judicial systems of some countries to take action. For example, Scotland. 

Case example: Scotland

In 2022, the UK national media drew the publics attention to the alarming suicide rates occurring in prison custody (BBC iPlayer – Darren McGarvey: The State We’re In – Series 1: 1. Justice, Prison suicide rate among highest in Europe in 2022, research shows | STV News). This media coverage coincided with justice reform for young people in conflict with the law. The Scottish Sentencing Council’s new guidelines came into effect in 2022, making rehabilitation the primary consideration to prevent incarceration and reoffending of those under 26 years of age and to subsequently prevent further unnecessary deaths (CYCJ, 2022).