Bobbie Jo Thompson died in the custody of Harris County Jail in Houston, Texas, on July 20, 2021. On the day of her death, she had made an appearance in a court setting. Shortness of breath was the only symptom described in the custodial death report.

In the care of inmates, it is vital for jail staff members to be aware of the risk of custodial suicide. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) provides certain guidelines to assist in suicide prevention. Enhanced supervision is among the measures taken to protect inmates who are at risk for suicide.

Various studies have been done for the purpose of reducing the number of custodial suicide deaths in U.S. county jails and prisons. According to a February 2021 report, suicide is the leading cause of death in jail and prison systems across the nation. The reasons for an elevation of the rate of custodial suicide are varied, the report conveys. Causes range from the experience an inmate has during incarceration, common features of the environment, and characteristics of the population.

Studies also show that there are certain times when inmates have an increased risk of suicide. During the first hours in a jail up to a week, inmates should be carefully monitored since a large number of custodial suicides happen within the first seven days of incarceration.

See Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series.

On this website, there is never an intention to suggest that improprieties have occurred on the part of institutions or individuals. Every post is intended as a resource of potential help to inmates detained in Texas county jails.

–Guest Contributor