Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted information to bust myths about increases in suicides during the holidays, at least two inmates in the U.S. died in suspected suicides between Christmas Day and December 26, 2020. Both suicides occurred in jails outside Texas, and it has been verified that at least one of the inmates was not on suicide watch.

A 36-year-old man was discovered in his cell on Christmas Day in an unresponsive state. Responders to the scene of the seemingly apparent suicide included deputies, the local fire department, and officials with Emergency Medical Services. The death is being investigated by the coroner’s office and a division of state law enforcement.

A 35-year-old inmate in a county jail in another state spoke with members of the correctional staff on Saturday, December 26, and entered his cell alone afterward. Not long after that, he was discovered hanging by a bedsheet from his bunkbed. According to the sheriff, the inmate, who he said was facing possibly 15 to 25 years in prison, was not on suicide watch.

Suicide prevention tips from the CDC include the following:

• Carefully monitor suicidal behavior;
• Conduct research to identify ways that are successful in preventing individuals from committing suicide;
• Conduct research to identify factors known to put people at risk for suicide; and
• Develop and evaluate suicide prevention programs.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has provided suicide prevention measures and requirements for Texas city and county jails, and they basically cover the above-referenced CDC guidelines. Still, overall U.S. statistics indicate that more than half of the custodial suicides that occur in our nation are preventable.

The posts on this site are added to help current and former Texas prisoners in city and county jails and their families. There is no intention to imply that misdeeds of any kind have occurred on the part of any institution or individual.

–Guest Contributor