Suicide Warning Signs

The National Commission on Correctional Health Care’s American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (NCCHC-AFSP) identifies the following warning signs of potential inmate suicide in three categories–talk, mood, and behavior.

Things Suicidal Inmates May Speak About

• Committing suicide
• No longer having a reason to live
• Going through unbearable pain
• Being a burden to others
• Feelings of being trapped

Moods of Potentially Suicidal Inmates

• Rage
• Humiliated
• Irritable
• Depressed
• Anxious
• Loss of interest

Behaviors of Inmates Contemplating Suicide

• Aggression
• Giving prized possessions away
• Isolating from family and friends
• Calling people to say goodbye
• Seeking a means to kill themselves
• Patterns of too much or too little sleep
• Behaving in a reckless manner

Precautions for Inmates on Suicide Watch

Decisions are made regarding what level of suicide-resistant housing particular inmates need. For instance, things that may be removed for the protection of inmates may include their clothing, bedding, books, eyeglasses, and other possessions. Safety mattresses are among the items issued to suicidal inmates. However, the safety mattress may be taken away if the inmate uses it to obstruct visibility in the cell or tries to destroy it or tamper with it.

Not every suicidal inmate is automatically on total lockdown. Routine privileges they may have access to include making phone calls, having family members visit, and engaging in exercise outside of their cell.

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

Making a suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of individuals or organizations is not intended on this website. Each post is meant as a helpful resource to help inmates in county jails in Texas.

–Guest Contributor