Critical Issues - Program / Policy Issues

Developing a Written Program for Jail Suicide Prevention

Lindsay M. Hayes

Abstract:

Jail suicides and the resulting liability can be dramatically reduced when officials put together a written suicide prevention program. The program need not be elaborate, but it must be comprehensive. Among the essential components of such a program are:

• Staff training
  
  
• Intake screening
  
  
• Communication
  
  
• Housing
  
  
• Supervision
  
  
• Intervention
  
  
• Reporting
  
  
• Follow-up/review

Program / Policy Issues