The proposed questionnaire for screening inmates touched upon in the previous segment of this series is part of a multi-dimensional program of suicide prevention. The screening that occurs at the time of booking should be followed up with a risk assessment interview. This should be conducted by a qualified professional in mental health such as a psychologist, a licensed professional counselor, a social worker, or a psychiatrist. 

Recommended Risk Assessment Interview

The clinical interview should be preceded by a gathering of information, such as the person or persons who placed the inmate on suicide watch and any jail staff member with pertinent knowledge. Although mental health professionals rarely contact family members, any information from the family that the jailers received should be shared with the mental health professional conducting the risk assessment clinical interview.

The interview should include questions asked of the inmate regarding suicidal thoughts, intents, and plans. The following are among the recommended questions that the clinical professional should use as a guide during this interview with the inmate, to be continued in the next part of this series:

• Has the inmate entertained the thought of committing suicide?
• Does the inmate plan and have an intention of self-harm?
• Does the inmate’s history include a past suicide attempt, and what was the nature of the event?
• Is the inmate feeling apprehensive about struggles outside their current situation? 

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and continuing installments of this series.

There is no intention on this website of making an inference of wrongdoing having occurred on the part of persons or entities. Providing helpful resources for prisoners in Texas county jails is the aim of these posts.

–Guest Contributor