An Overview of Suicide Prevention Practices Continued

Observation checks occur more frequently for inmates on suicide watch, but the intermittent checks may not allow jailers enough time to stop an attempt at suicide. It takes only 4 or 5 minutes to hang yourself. When inmates are deemed an “acute risk,” they are continuously supervised in some states. This means the inmate is being watched each minute of every day, 24 hours a day.

An inmate is deemed an acute risk when they have the inclination to commit suicide and cannot control their actions, at least temporarily.

Combatting Myths about Inmate Suicide

A reduction in inmate suicide came about after the 1970s, and one of the contributing factors was training jailers so that they gain a greater understanding of suicidal behavior. One of the first things tackled in training is for each correctional worker to determine what his or her beliefs are about suicide. There are many myths about the act of taking your own life. When correctional officers believe myths about inmate suicide, the results can be tragic. Dispelling myths about suicide is an important part of training in suicide prevention.

Also learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, and Part 10 of this continuing series.

Providing help to inmates now or formerly detained in a Texas municipal or county jail is one of the purposes of this website. There is never an intention of implying that misdeeds have occurred on the part of individuals or institutions.

–Guest Contributor