Matthew Tyler Fox died at age 35 on December 18, 2018, two days after being booked into the Val Verde County Jail in Del Rio, Texas. Fox had been placed in a medical observation tank because he was going through withdrawal from an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Although jailers were doing face-to-face observation checks every 25 minutes, Fox committed suicide using a sheet to hang himself.

Studies have revealed that the propensity toward suicidal behavior increases when an addicted person is going through withdrawal while incarcerated. The link between addiction and suicide is strong among individuals who are not behind bars. The combination of substance abuse and depression often leads to suicide.

Warning Signs that an Inmate May Be Suicidal

All jailers in Texas county jails are required to have sufficient training to recognize signs of potentially suicidal behavior. Addiction is just one of numerous reasons people are more prone to commit suicide while in jail. Other common reasons are fear of other inmates and loss of relationships. The following have been identified as warning signs that an inmate may be at risk for suicide:

• If an inmate’s family member or a loved one committed suicide
• If the inmate is a victim of same-sex rape
• Terminal illness or significant health problems
• Past incarceration
• After sentencing, faces a long imprisonment
• Speaks about death or inability to go on
• Feels severe shame or guilt
• Displays aggressive or agitated behavior

Learn more in this continuing series.

Posts are provided on this website to help inmates now or previously incarcerated in Texas county jails. It is not intended on this site to infer improprieties on organizations or persons.

–Guest Contributor