Stafford, Virginia

(NIC T.A. No. 03-J1156)

A. INTRODUCTION

The following is a summary of the observations, findings, and recommendations of Lindsay M. Hayes, Project Director of the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives, following the provision of short-term technical assistance to the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

As of July 2003, the Rappahannock Regional Jail had experienced three (3) inmate suicides since October 2002. Prior to that, the agency had not sustained an inmate suicide in recent memory. It was the close proximity of the suicides to each other during the most recent eight-month period that prompted concern within the agency. In order to independently assess current practices, as well as offer any appropriate recommendations to jail suicide prevention policies and procedures within the Rappahannock Regional Jail, Superintendent Larry Hamilton and his executive jail staff decided to seek the assistance of an outside consultant. Through the technical and financial assistance of the National Institute of Corrections - Jails Division, the services of this writer were offered to, and selected by, the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

It should be noted that the need of this writer's assessment was not prompted by litigation or critical investigation of any of the recent inmate suicides. Rather, these actions were taken through the pro-active initiative of Superintendent Hamilton who, along with his executive jail staff, were committed to determining what steps, if any, were necessary to improve suicide prevention practices within the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Built in 2000, the Rappahannock Regional Jail (RRJ) has a 656-bed capacity and serves four jurisdictions -- the City of Fredericksburg, King George County, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County. The agency also has a contact with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service for approximately 25 to 30 beds. On July 9, 2003, the population was 833 inmates, and the average daily population was 842 inmates. In addition, there are approximately 10,000 jail admissions each year, or slightly more than 27 per day.