An overview of ongoing research on suicidal behavior among offenders includes research regarding the prediction of suicide attempts among male offenders; self-harm among female offenders; and a comparison between attempters and completers for a sample of male offenders. Male offenders that attempted suicide were predominantly young unmarried Caucasian violent offenders. The attempter group had different criminal histories, being more likely to have committed homicides, break and enters, or robberies, and less likely to have committed sex offenses. Attempters were over-represented as being in maximum security. Attempters displayed more externalizing and internalizing problems, had more extensive psychiatric histories, and more dysfunctional families. Estimates indicate that almost half of female offenders have attempted suicide and that other forms of self-harm are prevalent in this high-risk population. The attempter group had significantly greater problems in terms of employment, marital/family, substance abuse, community functioning, and personal/emotional stability. They also had difficulties in terms of externalizing and social cognitive problems, internalizing and psychiatric problems, and lacked education and cognitive functioning skills. In comparing suicide attempts and completions, it was found that attempters were significantly more likely to overdose and slash, whereas completers were more likely to hang/suffocate themselves. Relative to the attempters, the completers had a slightly higher mean age, were more likely to be Aboriginal, and were more likely to be in maximum security. This research suggests there are identifiable factors that distinguish attempters from non-attempters and that predict suicidal attempts and self-harm in male and female offenders. The validity of the suicide risk scale completed at intake was supported, as well as the inclusion of institutional adjustment and criminal history variables. 10 notes