A Sheriff Takes Steps to Improve Suicide Prevention Measures Continued

The sheriff suggested that the jail system should avoid isolating potentially suicidal inmates whenever possible. He also said the cells should be suicide-resistant, especially if an inmate is on mental health watch.

It was revealed that seven of the suicides that have occurred in that jail involved the use of metal bunk beds. The sheriff is planning to replace those beds with others that inmates can’t hang themselves from. Those features are referred to as “choke points.” Inmates hang themselves in a vast majority of all jail suicides.

With 10 inmate suicides in the last 7 years, the jail system is asking for funding for stricter suicide prevention measures.

Latest: Inmate Commits Suicide When No Observations Were Made for Nearly 90 Minutes

In a county jail last month, the fifth inmate to die this year was a man in his 40s. An inspection that followed the death showed that he had not been checked on for nearly 90 minutes, and he was in the booking area bathroom. He used a drawstring from his clothing to hang himself.

The same jail is under a federal investigation over the death of two men who recently died in custody. In addition, the jail has failed several recent special jail inspections.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 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