Title: Preventing Inmate Suicide: The Ultimate Patient Safety Measure
Headings: Preventing Inmate Suicide: The Ultimate Patient Safety Measure
Preventing Inmate Suicide: The Ultimate Patient Safety Measure
Start with Screening
Screening is Only the Beginning
Making the Most of a Bad Outcome

Content: Screening is Only the Beginning
While suicide screening at intake has significantly reduced deaths during the first 24 hours of confinement, suicides are now more likely to be evenly distributed during confinement. According to the most recent national study of jail suicides, 23% occurred within first 24 hours, 27% occurred between 2 and 14 days, and 20% between 1 and 4 months. This data suggests that there is need to target other high-risk periods, including when placed in segregation and upon return from court hearings that resulted in bad news. The challenge, of course, is to develop a system that is alert to these sensitive points in the incarceration timeline. One way is to train staff to be more attentive to the behavior of inmates returning from visits or after telephone calls. Making the Most of a Bad Outcome
Even with a prevention plan in operation, a suicide can take place. It is a devastating situation for the inmate, family, and correctional staff. A thorough mortality review can help evaluate if the current suicide prevention program can be improved. This review should focus on organizational culture, system changes, and staff knowledge rather than seek to lay blame on any one person or department. Here is a summary of the recommended process for a morbidity and mortality review as discussed by Lindsay Hayes, MS when he spoke at a recent NCCHC conference.