New zero tolerance initiative for jail suicides at Marion County Jail
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – After an intensive review of increased suicides at Marion County Jail over the past year, Sheriff John Layton declared a new zero tolerance initiative for jail suicides Thursday.
“Without question, the risk of Jail suicide has risen dramatically over the last few years. U.S. Department of Justice reports confirm that this is a national concern. In 2015, inmate suicides reached epidemic proportions in the Marion County Jail. We must acknowledge that suicide is a tremendous Jail risk. As part of our ‘zero tolerance’ initiative, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office shall focus on prevention, surveillance and intervention,” Layton said.
At this time the initiative will include:
- Designate a Jail Suicide Prevention Coordinator.
- Institute a suicide prevention hotline within the Jail.
- Post suicide prevention posters throughout the Jail.
- Amend Inmate Handbook to specifically address suicide prevention.
- Amend Inmate Video to specifically address suicide prevention.
- Enlist other criminal justice stakeholders, such as the Public Defender’s Office.
- Enhance suicide prevention in Jail and health care staff training.
“We need to deal with this challenging increase in suicides as a part of the mental health crisis that it is. The sad reality is that county jails are the modern American mental hospital. We need to accept this unfortunate reality, no matter how fundamentally wrong it is, and fight aggressively to end suicides in our Jails.
“I appreciate the recommendations from Dr. Wantz and his commission. They have spent countless hours on this topic, toured multiple jail facilities, reviewed documents and professional literature, and met with Marion County Sheriff’s Office staff and its healthcare provider, Correct Care Solutions. Having the professional assistance of outsiders to the Marion County Jail to thoughtfully consider the challenges of jail suicides will be invaluable in our quest to stop needless deaths. Together, we shall prevail with this declaration of zero tolerance for Jail suicides. The report of the Special Commission on In-Custody Suicides at the Marion County Jail is an excellent roadmap to help the Marion County Sheriff’s Office achieve its goal of keeping each and every inmate safe,” Layton concluded.