On April 18, 2023, jailers received a call to provide medical attention to a 53-year-old inmate in a county jail outside Texas. When they went to his cell, correctional officers found him hanging in his cell. Lifesaving measures were started, and paramedics regained a pulse before placing him in an ambulance. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was declared deceased. The inmate had been in the jail since April 4, 2023, on a probation violation.

A Sheriff Takes Steps to Improve Suicide Prevention Measures

In April 13, 2023, news, a sheriff in a county outside Texas is focused on making improvements to the jail system. One way he plans to accomplish this is by heightening inmate safety. In the last 7 years, the jail has had 10 inmate suicides. The suicide rate there is three times the national average.

A nationally recognized suicide prevention expert worked with the sheriff, and they came up with a plan. It outlines 24 steps that the county will take to help reduce and prevent suicides.

Mandatory training of correctional officers is considered the backbone of any correctional system, the sheriff said. The mental health workers, medical staff, and other professional staff are rarely on hand when an inmate attempts suicide in their cell. The correctional officers are the members of the staff that are available 24 hours a day. They are forming the front line of defense in the suicide prevention plan.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this continuing series.

Helping Texas jail detainees and their families with resources is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention of suggesting that people or organizations have been involved in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor