NCJ Number
170518
Date Published
1997
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This videotape is intended to teach correctional personnel about inmate suicide in terms of its extent, impacts, and methods of prevention.
Abstract
The film presents the perspectives of both inmates and staff. It also presents scenarios and dialogues that demonstrate appropriate ways to screen incoming inmates for suicidality, recognize the warning signs of suicide, and take appropriate actions to prevent suicide. The discussion emphasizes that suicide is preventable and that both correctional conditions and staff attitudes are crucial. The film notes that the suicide rate for those incarcerated is two to nine times greater than in the community; pretrial detainees have the highest rate. A suicide causes severe stress among both staff and offenders and often leads to lawsuits from relatives of the inmate who committed suicide. However, staff of both adult and juvenile facilities can prevent most suicides in custody by following recognized policies, procedures, and practices. The film emphasizes the need for staff to understand suicide and its warning signs, listen and observe offenders carefully, supervise potentially suicidal offenders intensively, and avoid judging or giving up on offenders.