All Court Services Division lockups will have a Suicide Intervention Kit accessible to personnel when needed. The Kits shall be stored in a secure area at each facility and only be removed to assist in suicide intervention or during suicide intervention drills. The Kit is a standard military issued ammunition container which is air-tight and water resistant, painted white with red stenciling stamped on the sides labeled, “Suicide Intervention Kit.” Each Kit contains a cut-down tool, a rescue breathing mask, and two towels.
Security and Inspection of the Kit
CSD personnel responsible for each lockup area shall inspect the Kit at the beginning of the shift to ensure that all contents are present. This inspection shall be documented in the Electronic Uniform Daily Activity Log (e-UDAL)/Title 15 Log. If the Kit’s contents are missing or have been tampered with, an inventory of the Kit shall be made and a supervisor shall be notified immediately.
Deployment of the Kit
The cut-down tool has been tested and proven to be effective against the most commonly used materials used by inmates to hang themselves. These materials include bed-sheets, plastic bags, towels, and inmate uniforms. The cut-down tool is a cutting shear type tool with a razor edge. The tool should be used in the same manner as you would a pair of scissors. The tool is both not effective and should not be used against metal materials, such as coat hangers and metal cables. Caution should be used when the Kit is deployed as the cut down tool can be a security hazard and should be accounted for at all times.
Every effort should be made to support the inmate’s weight while he or she is being cut down, in order to minimize further injury to the inmate.
The rescue breathing mask is designed to provide protection for the first aid responder against communicable diseases during rescue breathing. As a general review, the mask is placed over both the mouth and nose of the victim, the responder than delivers air to the victim by blowing into the tube portion of the mask. The Kit also contains two cotton towels which can be used as pressure bandages against self-inflicted or accidental wounds.
Replacement Procedures
Each Bureau will have a supply of Kits available for replacement for their courts. New or replacement Kits are to be issued by Court Services Division Training Unit.