Suicide Prevention in Correctional Facilities

PURPOSE OF COURSE: This training program has been designed by a clinical professional with the purpose of addressing the growing issues related to increased suicides among inmates in county jails. It also addresses the issue of the increase of mentally ill inmates in county jails. Suicide is a growing problem in jails throughout the United States. The addition of societal stress and drug abuse has added to the problem. Mental health is also a relevant issue in jails. Often mentally ill inmates commit crimes and become a part of the inmate population. An understanding of inmates with mental illness issues is imperative for correctional officers. This training has been designed to meet the legal mandates of Illinois Administrative, Title 20: Corrections, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, Chapter 1: Department of Corrections, Subchapter f: County Standards, Section 701.9 (h) Medical and Mental Health Care. Training is divided into two main components as dictated by statute. Those two components are Prevention of Suicide Among Inmates while in custody and Mental Health Issues of Inmates in custody.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 8 hours of training focusing on understanding the increasing phenomenon of inmate suicide and the safeguards that are required to decrease this issue. Participants will be pro-vided information regarding the reasons for suicide and how the correctional officer can intervene. The training will also focus on the increase of mentally ill citizens who are incarcerated in county jails. Participants will be presented the major categories of Mental Illnesses as prescribed in the DSM-V. Intervention suggestions will also be provided.