Twenty-one-year-old Sappi Franck lived only another 11 days after being booked into Travis County Jail in Austin, Texas. During intake, it was noted that he appeared to be intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, exhibited mental health problems, and made suicidal statements. The cause of Mr. Franck’s death on September 13, 2023, is unknown, and the means of death could not be determined. The results of an autopsy are awaited.

Suicide Detection and Prevention in Jails Continued

When the Texas course providing instruction on how to detect and prevent suicide is completed, corrections officers ostensibly possess the skills they need to help in efforts to prevent detainees from committing suicide. Corrections officers, upon completion, will be able to:

• Handle intake of detainees
• Recognize factors influencing suicidal behavior
• Handle an attempted suicide as well as a suicide
• Interact with suicidal detainees
• Interview and assess detainees
• Recognize mental illness or mental retardation
• Understand the information shared in an overview of jail suicide
• Understand their part in suicide prevention plans

It is essential for corrections staff to understand that jails hold statistically high-risk groups, the most vulnerable of which are:

• Young men
• Mentally ill individuals
• Substance abusers
• Those who have previously attempted suicide

Learn more in Part 1 and Part 2 of this continuing series.

This site, as one of its purposes, provides information to help Texas detainees who are or have been incarcerated in a county or municipal jail in the state. Insinuating that an individual or organization has been involved in wrongdoing is never intended.

–Guest Contributor