Suicide Prevention Recommendations for Jails Continued

Build Rapport and Trust

The risk assessments designed to identify mentally ill and potentially suicidal inmates are conducted during booking, and the process isn’t conducive to establishing rapport or building trust. Rushing isn’t helpful to the goal of preventing inmate suicide. The reality is that it takes time to build relationships, and an environment that encourages openness about suicidal thoughts should not feel rushed. Yet, medical staff members often indicate that they feel hurried to finish assessments identifying at-risk prisoners.

Communicate with Support Persons

Family members and other support individuals can help with the challenge of identifying the levels of risk for suicidal inmates. It makes sense for members of the mental health staff to contact family members and friends for the purpose of discussing patient needs. Warning signs to look for could be identified based on personal knowledge that’s shared. It would be helpful for the jail to encourage family and friends to contact the jail staff about any concerns they have.

Decisions About Suicide Watch – Part 1

Suicide watch can be highly restrictive and create a great deal of discomfort. Patients are placed alone in a cell, which creates isolation. Inmates are given a tear-proof smock to wear and a tear-proof mat to sleep on. They are served finger food with no utensils. Suicidal inmates are also constantly watched. 

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of this ongoing series, including more on decisions about placing inmates on suicide watch.

There is no intention on this website to infer that wrongs have been committed on the part of individuals or entities. The purpose of posts on this website is to provide a helpful resource to benefit Texas county jail inmates.

–Guest Contributor