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| Measures taken to prevent prisoner suicides |
| By Maryland Northeast Reporter |
| Published: 12/29/2003 |
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Six more suicide-watch cells will be added to the seven already planned for the new detention center in Towson, Md. following a committee's review of three suicides in county jails this year. Increasing the number of suicide-watch cells from seven to 13 was one of several recommendations by the committee reviewed and adopted by County Executive James Smith last month. The measures were made to address the increasing number of inmates entering county jails with some degree of mental illness. Detention Center Administrator James O'Neill estimated that from 15 percent to 20 percent of inmates have some form of mental illness. "As hospital beds get more precious and expensive, we have to look to deal with these people," he said. The committee was formed in September after David Hahn, 33, of Hanover, Pa., was found by his cellmate hanging from a bed sheet in the county Detention Center in Towson. Hahn's was the third suicide in a county detention facility this year. "Based on the current facilities and circumstances and policies, everybody did what they were supposed to do. They were terrible instances that were not preventable," said Sheryl Goldstein, criminal justice coordinator, who chaired the committee. The committee reviewed the files related to the three suicides, interviewed corrections employees and reviewed policies and procedures, Goldstein said. The committee studied four areas: training, facilities, policies and procedures and staffing. Even before the formation of the committee, the Bureau of Corrections had decided to provide a two-hour suicide-precaution training class in 2004. The committee endorsed that action. Goldstein said suicide-screening forms used by the police department and the Bureau of Corrections will also be reviewed by the Bureau of Mental Health to see if any changes need to be made. The committee also recommended improving the communication between county and state mental health agencies. Currently, there is no mechanism on the county level in corrections to determine if an inmate has had a prior commitment in a state mental health facility, Goldstein said. |
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