TO: Rappahannock Regional Jail Authority

FROM: Superintendent Larry K. Hamilton

DATE: August 21, 2003

SUBJECT: Response to Lindsay Hayes Suicide Report

DISCUSSION

This memo discusses jail administration's response to the Suicide Preventation Report of Mr. Lindsay Hayes, the suicide consultant provided by the National Institute of Corrections in response to our request for assistance.

Jail administration has created a task force to review the report and when considered appropriate to implement the report recommendations.

QUESTIONNAIRES: The report included numerous recommendations for use of expanded questionnaires in areas such as intake, arresting/transporting officer, medical, institutional classification hearings, etc. These changes are being incorporated into our existing procedures.

SOFTWARE: Flagging of inmates considered at risk for suicide is being incorporated into our jail management software, as are procedures for entering and removing such information.

OBSERVATION: The report recommended inmate checks at approximately 30-minute intervals. State DOC standards for jails require two checks every hour at random intervals. Predictability of inmate checks would compromise security and violate state standards. No change is planned. However, cameras are being installed in the "crisis" cells where suicidal inmates are housed to allow continuous observation vice once every 15 minutes as specified by policy.

INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS: The recommended "mortality review" will be incorporated in its entirety into our policies.

MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT: The report expressed considerable concern about treatment of inmates with mental health problems. Currently, we contract with RACSB for a mental health therapist, substance abuse counselor and a part-time substance abuse assistant. Inmates are frequently referred to RACSB psychiatrists or in very severe cases to state institutions for the mentally ill. Beginning in October RACSB will provide on-site psychiatric visits 4-6 hours a week. We will also attempt to obtain the services of a mental health case manager. We have also arranged for after hours mental health crisis intervention from RACSB. We do not plan to conduct mental health assessments on all inmates booked into the facility during the first two weeks of their incarceration. That would involve thousands of such assessments every year and does not appear to be an efficient use of limited resources.

FISCAL IMPACT To be determined.