Suicide PreventionLevel I
Oklahoma Department of Corrections2014
Objectives
Understand essential elements and principles of a successful suicide prevention program
Identify warning signs and symptoms of impending suicidal behavior Know rates, personal characteristics, and factors affecting suicidal
behavior in the correctional setting Realize importance of accurate and complete documentation Know required response to suicidal and depressed offenders as
outlined in this procedure, including: Identification and placement of offenders on suicide watch; Communication and referral procedures between security, unit and other
facility staff and mental health staff Housing observation and suicide watch level procedures Follow-up monitoring of offenders who make a suicide attempt.
Warning Signs of Suicide Threats of self harm Actual self-injury Sudden change in behavior and/or mood Bizarre speech or behavior Personal crisis-misconduct, parole denial,
personal loss, threat from others Giving things away
Suicides in Prison:National Statistics
Suicide remains a leading cause of death for prison offenders, ranking 5th among all deaths that occur in prison Other leading causes include cancer, heart disease, liver
disease, and respiratory diseases. The number of suicides for male offenders is significantly
higher than the number of suicides for females Suicides in prison occur at the rate of 16 per 100,000
offenders per year versus 11.3 per 100,000 people in the general population per year
Suicides in Prison:National Statistics
Hanging is the most prevalent method of suicide for those who are incarcerated followed by cutting oneself and overdosing on prescribed and/or illegal medications
Maximum and medium security prisons have higher rates of suicide than minimum security prisons
A higher rate of suicide is evident in offenders convicted of crimes against another person than offenders convicted of property crimes
Suicides in Prison:Oklahoma Statistics
Offender suicides are more likely to include offenders who are white, male, and currently serving time for a violent offense
The age distribution of offender suicides in DOC (since 1997) is 21 to 60, and the average age is 37.
FY1998 FY1999 FY2000 FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004 FY2005 FY2006 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY20130
10
20
30
40
50
60
25
31
30
42
74
8
42 3
12
5
9
24
13
4
1316
8
27
15
30
15
7
12
48
19
Oklahoma Department of Corrections Inmate Suicides -- FY 1998 - FY 2013
Number of Suicides Suicide Rate per 100,000
Essential Elements and Principles
A comprehensive Suicide Prevention program includes specific procedures for handling intake, screening, identifying, and supervising a suicide-prone offender. The program has clear protocols, which are written in policies and procedures.
Communication Skills Instead of working on offenders by trying to
force them into correct ways of being, when we instead begin talking and working with them, we find our jobs start to become easier and more effective.
With practice, we are not fighting for control; rather we are communicating that we have a professional response to offender’s wants and needs.
We maintain control by utilizing these skills.
Speaking with Suicidal Offenders
Speak to the offender in a calm, matter-of-fact manner.
Listen closely and be sensitive to the thoughts and feelings expressed.
Never demean or respond jokingly to suicidal expressions.
Directly question the offender about suicidal thinking.
Speaking with Suicidal Offenders
Determine if the offender has made prior suicide attempts.
Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. If there have been prior suicide attempts, there is increased risk. Inquire if the offender has a history of suicide in his or her family or friends since it often represents an increased risk.
Speaking with Suicidal Offenders
Determine if the offender has a specific plan to accomplish suicide.
If the offender has a suicide plan and the means to affect the plan, you can discover this by asking questions such as: Have you ever thought about taking your own life? If so, how would you do it? When would you do it? Where would you attempt suicide?
Speaking with Suicidal Offenders
When talking to a suicidal offender, it is important to develop as much empathy as possible for the situation.
Try to understand the offender’s point of view as much as possible.
Try to determine what the person wants to escape by suicide.
Speaking with Suicidal Offenders
Use a non-threatening manner; Do not be judgmental; Be as natural as possible; Accept the possibility that the person is suicidal;
and Keep calm.
Speaking with Suicidal Persons
Positive contact with a suicidal personmay prevent suicide from happening.
Speaking with Suicidal Persons
DO’s1. Speak calmly and respectfully2. Avoid Conflict 3. Be Patient and listen carefully
without interrupting. 4. Be Direct in questioning about
suicidal thoughts 5. Be Honest and admit you don’t
have all of the answers, but offer hope
6. Be Objective7. Be Professional
Don’ts1. Don’t use a threatening tone or
manner2. Don’t create conflict3. Don’t invade their personal
space4. Don’t take offensive language
personally5. Don’t be judgmental6. Don’t make dismissive
statements such as, “This is stupid” “What are people going to say”
Talking with Suicidal Persons
Positive contact with a suicidal personmay prevent suicide from happening.
How hard can communication be?
How Hard Can Communication Be?OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the complexity of
communication. Get in pairs and sit back to back so you can’t see each other. Choose who will be the talker and who will be the listener. I will give the talker a copy of a design. I will give the listener a blank sheet of paper and a pencil. The one with the design begins to give directions on what to
draw. The goal is to have the design and the drawing turn out as similar as possible. The participant who is drawing cannot ask questions or talk at all. I will give you 3 minutes to complete the task.
How Hard Can Communication Be?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What was it like to be the person giving
directions? What was it like to be the person drawing? How does this exercise relate to the work
environment? How does this exercise relate to working with
people diagnosed with a mental illness?
Suicide Risk Factors
The following Risk Factors and Signs and Symptoms of suicide are a collaboration of lists from six of the survey states policies and/or training materials:
Suicide Risk Factors Has a history of suicide attempts History of suicide in the family Pending disciplinary time, placed in segregation
or protective custody Increased hours of isolation Institutional problems (e.g. classification,
unwanted transfer) Recent death or serious illness of a family
member
Suicide Risk Factors Loss of family support due to divorce or family
relocation Denied parole; convicted of a new crime; facing
detention time Has a long sentence Will be leaving soon after serving a lengthy
sentence Recently sexually assaulted, or threats of such
in the future
Suicide Risk Factors Other offender conflicts, assaults, victimization Has been having problems with his peer
group/friends Has a serious mental illness such as depression
or schizophrenia Self-injury of self-destructive behavior
Suicide Risk Factors Has a language barrier or disability resulting in
him being isolated Progressive health problems – chronic or
terminal illness Has a significant anniversary date approaching
Signs and Symptoms Seems extremely sad or is crying Loses interest in or almost all people and
activities Stopped attending groups, work assignments,
mental health sessions, medical appointments, refusing visitors
Withdrawn and non-communicative Sudden drastic changes in eating or sleeping
habits
Signs and Symptoms Loss of appetite, weight loss Sleeping difficulties, irregular sleeping hours,
insomnia, sleeping all the time Neglect of personal hygiene Seems to be in slow motion; no energy Is tense, agitated, and cannot seem to relax.
Emotional outbursts and sudden anger Expresses pessimism, hopelessness, and
helplessness
Signs and Symptoms Offender talks about suicide or verbalizes
thoughts of wanting to be dead Asking questions about death; talking about
death or afterlife Offender packs up and/or gives his possessions
to others, paying off debts Offender appears calm, elated or carefree after
a period of agitation or depression
Oklahoma DOC Suicide Events Informed of impending
transfer month prior Gastroenteritis Transfer to OSP 2 days
prior Received LARC
12/8/1999, date of death 12/17/1999
Threatened suicide upon reception
Letters from wife saying she would take everything he owned;
Wrote suicide letter to wife
Health problems Could not bear to serve
24 year sentence “Dear John” letter
Thursday before death on Saturday
Oklahoma DOC Suicide Events Wife did not visit as usual To Segregated Housing
Unit (SHU) Assaulted within 2 weeks
prior Depressed about
incarceration Decreasing staff attention Decreasing family
attention
Family refused phone calls
Spoke with dad evening before death
Altercation day before D/C imminent fears INS
detainer return to Mexico Estranged from family Homeless prior to
incarceration
Oklahoma DOC Suicide Events Friday previous court
denied custody of daughter to parents
2 days prior to SHU for cigarettes
3 days prior “accidental” human bite on elbow
Holiday stress Guilty about separation
from children
No English – Spanish only
Parents died Debt Fear of assault Request/refusal of money Marriage of mom day
after
Oklahoma DOC Suicide Events Assaulted within 6 weeks
prior Suicide attempt 6 weeks
prior Gang persecution Letters
from wife saying she would take everything he owned
Wrote suicide letter to wife
Health problems Could not bear to serve
24 year sentence
Suicide Prevention Screening LARC Mental Health Screening Facility Mental Health Screening
Initiation of Suicide Watch In acute, emergency situations, with possible
imminent danger of self-harm, a designated shift supervisor or health care professional trained in suicide-risk assessment may order a Level I suicide watch, continuous watch.
The facility head/duty officer will be notified as appropriate.
Initiation of Suicide Watch
Suicide watch procedures will be initiated for the following reasons: An offender engages in behavior that is likely to cause
physical harm to him/herself An offender makes suicidal gestures or threats; A suicide attempt is made Results of the “Risk Management Interview Worksheet,”
(DOC 140129B) indicate a need All less restrictive measures have failed or are judged not
to be effective
Initiation of Suicide Watch Designated staff member should stay in visual
contact person until a decision has been made about the plan of intervention. The staff member MUST NOT leave the offender unattended.
In the above situations of imminent risk, the offender will be placed under Level I Suicide Watch status which is constant supervision.
Initiation of Suicide Watch
During normal working hours, the on-site QMHP will be contacted immediately after the watch has been initiated and the offender and the situation will be evaluated as soon as possible after the watch is initiated. After normal working hours, the on-call QMHP will be contacted immediately after the watch is initiated so that the QMHP can determine whether to come in immediately or if the first available scheduled QMHP can do an in-person evaluation of the need for continuation of the suicide prevention procedures.
Initiation of Suicide Watch Only the QMHP can evaluate the actual Risk
and assess the individual.
Only the QMHP can make changes to the watch order and further recommendations for intervention if needed. Additionally, only the QMHP can discontinue a watch.
Initiation of Suicide Watch The following will be specified by the QMHP
Clothing Property Meals
Unless medically contraindicated, water will be available in the cell or offered at least every 2 hours
The QMHP will schedule in-person interviews at least twice each normal work shift or more often as necessary.
Suicide Watch Level I
Constant observation (documentation at least every 15 minutes at staggered intervals)
Safe-cell Safety smock (normally) Safety blanket (if QMHP approved)
Suicide Watch Level II
15 minute observation and documentation (at staggered intervals)
Safe cell QMHP will determine clothing, meals, and allowable
property
Suicide Watch Level III
30 minute observation/documentation (staggered intervals)
Safe cell or regular SHU cell as indicated by the QMHP
QMHP will determine clothing, meals, and allowable property
Suicide Watch Every placement of an offender on suicide watch
will be recorded on the Suicide Watch List. Following discharge from suicide watch,
offenders will have an individualized treatment plan developed by the responsible QMHP that addresses continued follow-up and treatment goals.
Suicide Attempt Response Despite legitimate prevention efforts, there may
be occasions when an attempt or actual suicide occurs.
Principle #1-When such an incident occurs is that the preservation of an offender’s life takes precedence over the preservation of a crime scene.
Principle #2-In all correctional facilities, professional judgment must consider safety risk factors for staff. Any delay in response for security reasons must be reported in detail in the incident report.
Suicide Attempt Response With those two principles in mind, the following actions
will be taken under normal conditions when an offender has attempted suicide or has sustained deliberate self-inflicted injury:
1. The first responder will call for help and initiate first aid and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as needed. If the offender is found hanging, the responder will immediately cut him/her down and start appropriate medical care. 2. The facility’s health services unit will be contacted when a second responder arrives on the scene. The facility's local emergency medical procedures will be initiated.
Suicide Attempt Response3. The facility mental health authority (QMHP) will be notified as soon as reasonably possible.
4. Both medical and mental health evaluations will be conducted after the offender’s condition is stabilized. The mental health evaluation will include a recommendation for placement into an appropriate housing unit, along with recommendations for the appropriate level of suicide watch.
Responding to Persons with Suicidal Threats or Concerns Take precautions when dealing with a suicidal
offender. Some suicidal offenders may be unpredictable and become violent.
Responding to Persons with Suicidal Threats or Concerns
1. You should protect yourself and others:
a. Call for assistance
b. Survey the scene for safety
c. If the area is safe, enter the scene.
d. Remember to use communication DO’s and Don’ts.
Responding to Persons with Suicidal Threats or Concerns
2. Contain the situation:
a. Lock the area down, if possible
b. Move other offenders from the area
c. Limit the suicidal offender’s movement to within a manageable area
Responding to Persons with Suicidal Threats or Concerns
3. Remove the Source of Danger.
As soon as it is possible and only when safe to do so:
Contact Security Control or have others alert Security Control identifying the location, the situation and your name
Notify, or have others notify, your supervisor If force is necessary, follow the guidelines set forth in
OP-050108 entitled “Use of Force Standards and Reportable Incidents.”
Responding to Persons with Suicidal Threats or Concerns
4. The offender’s area must be shaken down and items that could be used as a weapon removed. Care should be taken regarding clothing, belts, shoe strings, sheets, etc.
5. If mental health staff members are present at the facility, an immediate referral should be made for an assessment. (4-4373M b#5)
6. If determined to be necessary by the QMHP, the offender will be transported to an observation or safe cell and placed on suicide watch.
Documentation In a correctional setting, as in any organizational
system, documentation of critical events is essential for effective communication, maintaining medical and legal record, and for allowing others to review the event.
With respect to suicidal offenders, proper
documentation is important. Adequate documentation may protect the department against legal action and assist in the revision of policy for managing suicidal offenders
Documentation The warden, duty officer or designee will be notified as appropriate.
Both medical and mental health evaluations will be conducted after the offender’s condition is stabilized. The mental health evaluation will include a recommendation for placement into an appropriate housing unit, along with recommendations for the appropriate level of suicide watch. (4-4373M b#6) These evaluations must be made a part of the medical record via progress note or by a written summary in accordance with OP-140106 entitled “Medical Record System.” A copy of these evaluations and any other pertinent information required of OP-050108 will be forwarded to the warden and chief mental health officer within five working days after the incident.
Suicide The Chief Mental Health Officer will be notified
verbally by the responsible QMHP of any suspected suicide.
Debriefing A critical incident debriefing will be conducted as
required by OP-050108 entitled “Use of Force Standards and Reportable Incidents”
Offenders will be included in critical incident debriefings as determined necessary by the facility mental health authority.
All staff involved in the critical incident will be included in the debriefing (i.e., correctional officers responsible for watching the suicidal offenders)
Suicide Administrative Review
The warden will establish a clinical review team to conduct a systematic analysis of any offender suicides in order to study the context in which death occurred.
The warden will ensure that the team’s first meeting is within five working days following any suicide.
Team members must not include either facility administrators or facility staff whose performance or responsibilities may be directly involved in the suicide incident. (4-4373M)
Summary As correctional professionals, it is our duty to
treat each suicidal offender with concern and be responsive to their needs.
Correctional personnel are obligated by standards set forth by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to identify those offenders at risk, protect them from themselves, and assist them in getting proper care and treatment.