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Policy 721Santa Ana Police Department Custody Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/02/21, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police Department***DRAFT*** Suicide Prevention and Intervention - 1Suicide Prevention and Intervention 721.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy establishes the suicide prevention and intervention program to identify, monitor and, when necessary, provide for emergency response and treatment of incarcerated persons who present a suicide risk while incarcerated at the department detention facilities. This policy is intended to reduce the risk of self-inflicted injury or death by providing tools to the staff that will allow a timely and organized emergency response to suicide, suicide attempts, or an incarcerated person's unspoken indications that suicide is being considered. The three key components of this plan are evaluation, training, and screening with intervention. 721.2 POLICY It is the policy of this department to minimize the incidence of suicide by establishing and maintaining a comprehensive suicide prevention and intervention program designed to identify incarcerated persons who are at risk of suicide and to intervene appropriately whenever possible. The program shall be developed by the Jail Administrator or the authorized designee and the Responsible Physician, approved by the local public health entity, and reviewed annually by the Jail Administrator. A copy of this policy shall be maintained in each unit of the facility where it can be easily accessed by all staff members (15 CCR 1029(a)(8); 15 CCR 1030). 721.3 SUICIDE PREVENTION TEAM The Jail Administrator in cooperation with the Responsible Physician shall establish a suicide prevention team. The team will evaluate and approve the suicide prevention and intervention program annually. The suicide prevention team will consist of qualified health care professionals and the Jail Administrator or the authorized designee. The yearly evaluation will include a review of all current policies to ensure they are relevant, realistic, and consistent with the mission of the program. The program and policies will be updated as needed (15 CCR 1030). The suicide prevention team shall also ensure that the facility is evaluated annually to identify any physical plant characteristics or operational procedures that might be modified to reduce the risk of suicide. This should be accomplished by conducting a review of suicides and suicide attempts, physical inspection, review of various facility inspection reports, and by participating in incarcerated person/management team meetings. If physical modifications are recommended, the team shall ensure the Jail Administrator is promptly notified. It shall also be the responsibility of the suicide prevention team to coordinate with the Training Commander to ensure that suicide prevention training is provided in compliance with applicable statutes and standards. Santa Ana Police Department Custody Manual Suicide Prevention and Intervention Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/02/21, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police Department***DRAFT*** Suicide Prevention and Intervention - 2721.4 STAFF TRAINING All facility staff members who are responsible for supervising incarcerated persons shall receive initial and annual training on suicide risk identification, prevention, and intervention, to include, at minimum (15 CCR 1030): •The provisions of this policy. •Identification of the warning signs and indicators of potential suicide, including training on suicide risk factors. •Identification of the demographic and cultural parameters of suicidal behavior, including incidence and variations in precipitating factors. •Responding to suicidal and depressed incarcerated persons. •Communication between corrections staff, court staff, and health care personnel. •Using referral procedures. •Housing observation and suicide watch-level procedures. •Follow-up monitoring of incarcerated persons who attempt suicide. •Communication between members and arresting/transporting correctional officers. •A plan for mental health consultation following return from court as needed. Recommendations for modification to suicide training should be directed to the Jail Administrator, who shall review the recommendations and approve, if appropriate. 721.5 SCREENING AND INTERVENTION All incarcerated persons shall undergo medical and mental health screening during the intake process (15 CCR 1030). A portion of the intake medical screening is devoted to assessing incarcerated persons at risk for suicide. Upon an incarcerated person entering the facility, the person should be assessed by custody staff for the ability to answer medical and mental health screening questions. Any incarcerated person who appears to be unable to answer the initial medical screening questions shall be examined by a qualified health care professional at a designated hospital and receive medical clearance before acceptance into the jail. Incarcerated persons who refuse to answer these questions shall be placed under observation until the screening can be completed, or until sufficient information is obtained to allow the staff to make appropriate decisions concerning housing and care. Staff members shall promptly refer any incarcerated person who is at risk for suicide to classification, health services, and mental health services. The incarcerated person shall remain under direct and constant observation in a safe setting until designated staff makes appropriate health care and housing decisions (15 CCR 1030). Santa Ana Police Department Custody Manual Suicide Prevention and Intervention Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/02/21, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police Department***DRAFT*** Suicide Prevention and Intervention - 3Special situations may arise where a screening and intervention is appropriate for an incarcerated person when the person is placed in restrictive housing, following a hearing, and after a transfer or change in classification (15 CCR 1030). 721.6 SUICIDE WATCH Incarcerated persons should only be housed on suicide watch with the approval of a qualified health care professional and the Shift Supervisor. If a qualified health care professional is not present in the jail, the Shift Supervisor may make the decision to place an incarcerated