Policy Text
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MJ/RCCC
OPERATIONS ORDER
Suicide Prevention Program
The purpose of this Order is to standardize the procedures to assist custody staff in
recognizing, identifying, monitoring, and ensuring proper treatment referrals for inmates
who present a suicide risk at the Main Jail and at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional
Center (RCCC).
I. Policy
Correctional staff shall be continually observant for signs of suicidal behavior in the inmate
population. Any inmate exhibiting or verbalizing suicidal behavior shall be immediately
referred to Jail Psychiatric Services (JPS) for evaluation and necessary treatment and the
inmate will be kept under direct visual observation until medical or psychiatric staff
evaluates the inmate.
II. Intake Screening
A. The arresting officer is responsible for document ing any observations
related to suicidal statements and/or behavior displayed prior to arrival at
the custody facility on the intake screening form.
B. The intake nurse will complete the receiving screening form for all new
inmates at the time of booking. If the inmate is identified as having or
displaying suicidal behavior or reporting suicidal ideation(s) the intake nurse
will:
1. Indicate suicidal ideations or observations on the Special Needs
form. The Special Needs form will be placed in a green folder to alert
intake personnel of the special needs.
2. Notify JPS by telephone to report inmate’s reported suicidal ideation
or behaviors.
C. Intake custody staff shall place the suicidal inmate in an occupied holding
cell in the booking area and notify JPS immediately of inmate’s suicidal
ideations.
1. The use of the “Safety Suit” shall be at the discretion of JPS, based
on collaboration with intake or custody staff.
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MJ/RCCC 2. Inmates dressed in “Safety Suits” shall be housed alone, or with
other inmates in “Safety Suits”.
D. If the inmate displays behavior which may result in the inmate harming
themselves or others, custody staff shall place the inmate in an unoccupied
cell in accordance with Operations Order 4 /05, Use of Safety Cells/
Segregation Cells.
E. Intake custody staff shall make direct visual observation of suicidal inmates
at least twice every thirty (30) minutes. Intak e staff shall document their
observations on a Custody Log f orm and /or in a log book , if applicable .
F. Intake custody staff shall note intake medical staff interactions on the
Custody Log form and/or i n a log book, if applicable.
G. Once JPS staff has completed the inmate’s evaluation, the JPS staff
member shall consult with custody staff to determine the appropriate
housing location for the inmate .
III. Housing Unit Referrals
A. Any custody staff member who bec omes aware of a n inmate expressing
suicidal statements or exhibiting potential suicidal behavior shall advise JPS
and sworn custody staff immediately.
1. At RCCC , medical staff shall be notified during JPS non -duty hours .
B. Custody staff shall immediately remove the inmate from their cell or
dayroom area, into a location where the inmate can be continuously
observed while awaiting a JPS evaluation. The use of multipurpose rooms
should be avoided. Sworn custody staff shall also:
1. Search th e inmate’s cell or assigned bunk area for indicia of suicidal
intentions.
2. Immediately notify a facility supervisor and/or Watch Commander.
a. The use of the “Safety Suit” shall be at the discretion of JPS,
based on collaboration with custody staff.
b. Inmates dressed in “Safety Suits” shall be housed alone, or
with other inmates in “Safety Suits”.
3. Monitor the inmate by performing direct visual observation at least
twice every (30) minutes. The observations shall be documented on
a Custody Log form and/or in the housing unit log book, if
appropriate.
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MJ/RCCC a. Video systems may be used to supplement observations of
the inmate , but they are NOT substitutes for direct visual
observation.
C. Once JPS staff has completed the inmate’s evaluation, the JPS staff
member shall consult with custody staff to determine the appropriate
housing location for the inmate .
1. If JPS staff at RCCC determine the inmate needs to be housed in the
acute psychiatric unit at the Main Jail , RCCC JPS or medical staff
will coordinate the transfer with Main Jail JPS and custody staff.
2. At RCCC , if JPS determines the inmate should be monitored and
remain at RCCC , the inmate will be removed from their housing
location and placed in a designated single cell or secured area which
will provide for continuous observation as described in Operations
Order 4 /05.
3. The inmate shall be searched by custody staff prior to relocation. If
deemed necessary by JPS staff, the inmate’s clothing shall be taken
and the inmate will be given a “safety suit” to wear.
IV. Medical Emergencies
A. A suicide attempt is a medical emergency and should be handled in
accordance with Operations Order 3 /07, Medical Emergencies .
B. In the event a ligature is used to attempt self -harm , custody staff shall
immediately:
1. Request additional assistance and medical personnel and attempt to