A 37-Year-Old Detainee Dies by Suicide Continued

This summer, Llano County Jail in Llano, Texas, was cited for noncompliance after the death of a detainee. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) inspector’s notes regarding the alleged violation of the minimum jail standard defined in Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers follow:

• After a custodial death, this inspector reviewed the documentation and video received. In so doing, it was revealed that, while jailers made observation rounds, the jailers did not view the detainee face to face as required by minimum jail standards.

Does Lack of Training in Suicide Prevention Endanger Detainees?

In many statistical reports, suicide is said to be the leading cause of death in county and municipal jails. It is incumbent upon jails to take steps that will protect detainees against suicide. TCJS requires all Texas jails to establish a suicide prevention plan, and it provides the basic components that the plan must include.

The training of jail staff is among the requirements for suicide prevention. Suicide itself is a loaded topic with many myths that can cause misunderstandings and lead to failed efforts. Informing jailers in detail about myths pertaining to custodial suicide is considered by many to be the best starting point when giving instruction about suicide prevention in local jails.

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

One of the purposes of this site is to provide information that is helpful to detainees in city in county jails in Texas. On this website, there is no intention to imply that any person or institution has been involved in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor