Myths about Inmate Suicide Continued

Myth: Suicides almost always happen suddenly and without warning.

Fact: In the vast majority of cases, there are warning signs before a suicide attempt.

The following are typical warning signs that a person is suicidal and the possibility they will try to take their own life should be taken seriously for the purpose of preventing suicide:

• Talks about suicide, saying things such as, “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I had never been born,” or “I wish I were dead.”
• Getting affairs in order or giving away belongings when there is no other logical explanation for doing those things.
• Saying goodbye to people with a sense of finality.
• Expresses a sense of hopelessness or feeling trapped.

One of the most predictable warning signs that a person may try to commit suicide is that they have tried before to take their own life. In jails, part of the suicide prevention protocol is to look at the past mental health history of the inmate. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards sets the guidelines and monitors whether jails are abiding by minimum jail standards. Jails are required to check the background of every inmate.

Rule §273.5(c)(1)~ Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan

During intake at a county jail, every inmate’s name will be checked against the Texas Health and Human Services Commission CCQ system. CCQ is for continuity of care. They are identifying if the inmate has a history of receiving mental health services from state-funded mental health programs.

Also learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, and Part 18 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