Policy Text
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Clara County Office of the
Sheriff Suicide Prevention and Intervention - 1 Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
Custody Manual
Suicide Prevention and Intervention
721.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes the suicide prevention and intervention program at the Santa Clara County
Office of the Sheriff jails. The purpose of this policy is to identify incarcerated persons who present
a potential suicide risk, make referrals to Adult Custody Health Services (ACHS) Mental Health
to provide mental health services, monitor incarcerated persons placed on suicide precaution 15 -
minute checks, ensure that interventions are followed, pr ovide for emergency response and
treatment when necessary, and train sworn staff on suicide prevention.
721.2 POLICY
It is the policy of this Sheriff's Office 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.
This policy shall be easily accessed by all Custody Bureau staff members (15 CCR 1029(a)(8);
15 CCR 1030).
721.3 SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM
The Assistant Sheriff of Custody Operations or the authorized designee in cooperation with
the Executive Medical Director for Custody Behavioral Health Services shall establish a suicide
prevention program. A biennial review shall be conducted of all current policies to ensure that 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 program shall also ensure that the jails are continuously evaluated 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 inspections of the jails, review of various jail inspection reports,
participating in suicide prevention committee meetings, and by participating in incarcerated
person/management team meetings. If ph ysical modifications are recommended, the Assistant
Sheriff of Custody Operations shall be promptly notified.
721.4 STAFF TRAINING
All new sworn staff members who are responsible for supervising incarcerated persons shall
complete a four-hour pre-service suicide prevention curriculum. The Assistant Sheriff of Custody
Operations or the authorized designee and ACHS shall develop and implement classroom
instructed suicide prevention training on an annual basis that includes, at minimum:
• Suicide -specific emergency response scenarios
• The provisions of this policy
• Avoiding obstacles (negative attitudes) to prevention Policy
721
Docusign Envelope ID: E902A308-52CB-437F-AE3F-7219CA2D0AA4
Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
Custody Manual
Suicide Prevention and Intervention
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Clara County Office of the
Sheriff Suicide Prevention and Intervention - 2
• Incarcerated persons suicide research
• Why jail environments are conducive to suicidal behavior
• Identifying suicide risk despite the denial of risk
• Potential predisposing factors to suicide
• High-risk suicide periods
• Warning signs and symptoms
• Components of the Sheriff's Office Suicide Prevention Program
• Liability issues associated with incarcerated person's suicide
• Using referral procedures
• Follow up monitoring of incarcerated persons who attempt suicide
It shall be the responsibility of the Assistant Sheriff of Custody Operations or the authorized
designee to coordinate with the Training and Professional Development Captain to ensure that
suicide prevention training is provided in compliance with applicab le statutes and standards.
Recommendations for modifications to suicide trainings should be directed to the Assistant Sheriff
of Custody Operations or the authorized designee, who shall review the recommendations and
approve, if appropriate.
721.5 SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT AT BOOKING
All incarcerated persons shall undergo a medical and mental health screening performed by ACHS
nursing staff during the intake process (15 CCR 1030). ACHS nursing staff will refer incarcerated
persons demonstrating indicators of any mental health risk factors, including suicidal risk factors,
to ACHS Mental Health for further evaluation during the intake process. Based on the screening,
medical staff may place incarcerated persons on Suicide Precaution 15-minute checks while they
remain in the booking area until the incarcerated person can be evaluated by ACHS Mental Health
staff. Medical staff will provide a copy of the Custody Medical Intake Form, which will indicate if
the incarcerated person needs Suicide Precaution 15-minute checks, to sworn staff. Additionally,
sworn staff may refer incarcerated persons to ACHS Mental Health during the booking process
based on the incarcerated person's charges or other indicators.
721.6 REFERRALS
If sworn staff receives any suicidal risk related information from anyone, including but not limited
to staff, family members, attorneys, or other incarcerated individuals, they shall make a referral to
ACH