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| Prison takes measures to prevent suicides |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 11/17/2003 |
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Montana State Prison officials said last Friday that they have developed a plan they hope will deter inmate suicides, after three inmates killed themselves this past summer. The effort includes taking away some of the tools prisoners used to kill themselves, increased surveillance and more training to help staff spot suicidal symptoms in inmates. Warden Mike Mahoney said Friday that he's trying to be proactive in dealing with what otherwise could become an increasing problem in a setting that lends itself to despair and rash actions by inmates. The steps being taken are in response to the suicides that began July 8, when convicted killer Douglas Turner hanged himself in his death-row cell after spending almost half his life in prison. That was followed by Jon LeBeau hanging himself in his maximum-security cell Aug. 31, shortly before he was to be sentenced for murdering a fellow inmate at the Shelby prison. On Sept. 15, Kevin Osmanson, a prisoner with a history of emotional problems, hanged himself. All three men used torn cloth or a combination of cloth and shoelaces to kill themselves by hanging from the grill on an air circulation vent. Kara Gotsch, public policy coordinator for the American Civil Liberties Union's National Prison Project, said Friday prison suicides are a growing concern as the mentally ill make up a larger portion of the nation's inmate population. According to the annual yearbook published by the Criminal Justice Institute, the suicide rate in state and federal prisons increased from 5.5 per 100,000 to 6.5 per 100,000 between 1993 and 1999. Nine inmates have committed suicide at the state prison in the past 15 years, but none as swiftly as the last three. Since the beginning of last year, the prison has had 21 suicide attempts. Fourteen involved inmates cutting themselves, eight were hangings and two were inmates swallowing sharp objects. The prison industries program has made "security gowns," which are tightly woven garments that resist tearing, he said. Sheets, also crafted to prevent tearing, and mattresses, made less rigid so they can't be easily used to block cell doors, should be available by Thanksgiving, Mahoney said. By next month, the prison expects to have slip-on style shoes for higher-security inmates, doing away with shoelaces. Changes in the design of air vent covers, installation of cameras in a handful of cells dedicated to higher-risk inmates, and more random cell checks also are being considered, Mahoney said. Staff also has had more training on suicide warning signs, such as big swings in attitude or mood and major life-changing events such as a parole denial or breakup with a wife or girlfriend, he said. But spotting the signs can be tough, Mahoney said. |
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