The Bexar County Sheriff’s Department submitted a custodial death report (CDR) about Freeman Emmanuel Verne to the Office of the Attorney General on July 12, 2023. Mr. Verne was 50 years old when he died in Bexar County Jail on July 2, 2023. The cause of death is unknown, though there is an indication in the CDR that Mr. Verne died of natural causes. The results of an autopsy are pending.

Training Curriculum on Suicide Detection Prevention in Jails

The U.S. Department of Justice makes a publication available to jails called Training Curriculum on Suicide Detection and Prevention in Jails and Lockups. The purpose of the training manual is to equip jail administrators and staff with a fundamental understanding of suicidal behavior as it related to the jail environment and how to prevent it.

The responsibilities of jails as regards suicide prevention is discussed in the 8- to 10-hour curriculum. Attendees will learn about the following topics:

• How is suicidal behavior influenced by the jail environment?
  • Isolation
  • Shame of incarceration
  • Fears
• Predisposing factors such as drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness, and loss of resources are reviewed.
• High-risk situations are discussed.
  • First 24 hours of confinement
  • Holidays
  • Overnight hours
• Situational risk factors are discussed, such as recent or current stressors.
• Signs and symptoms of suicidal behavior are delineated.

Learn more in Part 1 and this continuing series.

Providing helpful resources to detainees in Texas jails and their families is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention on this site of implying that a person or organization has been involved in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor