Suicide remains the leading cause of death in America’s jails. According to a report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, from 2006 to 2016, suicide remained the leading single cause of death in local jails each year, accounting for nearly a third of jail deaths in 2016.

While suicide is not limited to one race, the mortality rate for white jail inmates in 2016 was more than double the rate for black inmates and almost triple the rate for Hispanic inmates.

Of those suicides, approximately 40% of the inmate deaths in 2016 occurred within the first 7 days of admission to jail (Carson & Cowhig, 2020). More than a third of the inmates who committed suicide had a history of suicidal behavior and nearly 40% had a history of mental illness (Chamberlain, 2019).

Jail Suicide Settlements

Jail suicide continues to be a costly liability for municipalities, and are often preventable.  The headlines are filled with settlement news.  Within this past year, a county in New York failed to provide medical care and follow their own suicide prevention protocols. The suit was settled for $2.8 million.

In a county in Ohio, authorities settled a suit for nearly $1 million in 2021 after authorities failed to provide necessary mental health care and medication and failed to take necessary steps to prevent the pre-trial detainee’s suicide.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed in Virginia was settled in 2020 for $370,000.  This is just a sampling of recent jail suicide settlements.

 

Inmate Suicide Prevention

As corrections professionals, we have a moral obligation to protect our inmates, as we are Constitutionally responsible for their safety.

While there may be situations that cannot be prevented, we want to ensure we did everything possible to prevent someone from taking their own life.  Suicide prevention is possible.

How to Prevent Inmate Suicides

The initial intake screening is critical, and not something to be taken lightly.  Staff conducting the suicide risk assessment need to discover if there is a history of family suicide, substance abuse, significant health or mental health issues, severe guilt or shame, or talking about death.

These can indicate a higher risk of self-harm.  Often times if you simply ask an inmate if they are thinking of harming themselves, they will say so; however, just because an inmate denies any suicidal ideations does not mean there is no risk.

 

Inmate Suicide Risk Warning Signs

It is critical that staff making rounds through the housing areas pay attention to changes in inmate behavior.  An inmate who has been sociable who is now withdrawn or hostile, or signs of extreme sadness (crying) or loss of interest in other people or activity, may be an indicator that the inmate’s mental status has changed.

Exhibiting signs such as cutting, burning, head banging or not making sense can also be an indicator that something has changed.

Finally, a strong indicator of potential suicidal behavior is when an inmate gives away their possessions, or make comments such as, “I won’t need these where I’m going”. If there is a suspicion of potential suicidal ideation, suicide prevention protocols must be enacted, and the inmate referred to mental health.

There are also activities that have been linked to a higher risk for suicidal activity. If there is conflict with other inmates, or threat of (or actual) sexual assault, disciplinary sanctions or segregations, or after a phone call or visit from family or friends where bad news is received, can all cause a change in inmate behavior and increase the risk for suicidal behavior. These are all activities that can be identified by walking around your jail.

Cellmates may report a change in behavior, by walking around, staff may observe these changes in behavior. If these or other suspicious behaviors are noted, it is not alright for staff to do nothing. If signs are present of a potential suicide risk, refer the inmate for a mental health evaluation and take necessary precautions to manage the presented risk.

 

Jail Suicide Risk Assessment

Walking around also means evaluating your facility for risk.  Take note if there are tie-off points in the cell (bars, shelves, even vents or bunk braces) where ligatures can be secured, especially if there have been prior incidents involving those points.

Ensure your staff has the proper training to recognize potential suicide risk behaviors. Be sure safety and security rounds are being made according to policy. Recording or tracking inmate supervision is important for accountability, even with direct supervision jails (Lewis & Reising, 2001).

Walking around means just that – walking around making the safety and security checks, not simply watching a video monitor. While video is a great supplement for supervision, it is definitely not a replacement for simply walking around.

References

Carson, E., & Cowhig, M. (2020). Mortality in Local Jails, 2000-2016 – Statistical Tables. Washington D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Chamberlain, M. (2019, May 15). Be Observant: 10 Warning Signs of Suicidal Inmates. Retrieved from Lexipol: https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/be-observant-10-warnings-signs-of-suicidal-inmates/

Lewis, K., & Reising, H. W. (2001). Anatomy of a Jailhouse Suicide - A Litigation Perspective. Kalamazoo: Plunkett & Cooney.