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Men's Central Jail (MCJ) Unit Orders

5-08-045 Handling of Suicidal Inmates


5-08-040 Identification and Processing of Behavioral Observation Inmates
5-08-053 MCJ Inmate Processing Area (IPA)

PURPOSE OF ORDER:

 

The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for the identification and processing of inmates who have suicidal tendencies at Men’s Central Jail (MCJ).

 

SCOPE OF ORDER: 

 

This order applies to all personnel assigned to, and/or working at MCJ.

 

ORDER:

 

All personnel who identify any inmate exhibiting unusual behavior which represents a risk of injury to themselves shall report this behavior as outlined in this unit order.

 

BEHAVIOR OBSERVATION PROCESSING STEPS

 

  1. Handcuff the inmate.
  2. Personnel shall interview the inmate to formulate an opinion as to whether the inmate should be referred to the medical or mental health personnel for an evaluation and observation.
  3. The floor sergeant shall be notified.
  4. With the concurrence of the floor sergeant, the inmate shall be escorted to the clinic for further examination by medical staff.
  5. Violent, suicidal, or injured mental observation inmates shall be immediately taken to the clinic for a medical evaluation.
  6. If the interviewing medical or mental health staff member recommends psychiatric referral, the inmate shall be escorted to Inmate Reception Center (IRC) for reassignment to High Observation Housing (HOH) at Twin Towers Correctional Facility (TTCF).

 

Suicide Intervention

 

MCJ personnel shall immediately interrupt, and if necessary, provide appropriate aid to an inmate who threatens or exhibits self-injurious behavior.

 

In the event of the discovery of an attempt or completed suicide personnel shall:

 

  • Obtain the suicide intervention kit/AED.
  • Call for assistance and notify Main Control.
  • Notify Medical personnel and request paramedics if necessary.
  • Lockdown the immediate area.
  • In the case of hanging, use the “cut down tool” from the suicide intervention kit to immediately cut down the inmate.  The preservation of life should be the primary consideration.
  • Monitor the inmate’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
  • Render first aid and/or CPR if necessary.

 

Suicide

 

Upon recognizing any warning signs of potential suicidal tendencies, personnel shall notify their immediate supervisor and immediately arrange for appropriate medical and/or psychiatric attention. 

 

Personnel shall complete a Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral (BOMHR) form (SH-J-407) and have it approved by the line sergeant and the watch commander after review. 

 

If an actual attempt to commit suicide is made by the inmate, a non-criminal report shall be authored on an Incident Report (SH-R-49) to document the attempt in addition to the above procedures.

 

When completing a SH-R-49, custody personnel shall not indicate a suicide attempt as feigned.  USE 457 STAT CODE ONLY.

 

Notifications

 

When an inmate is transferred from MCJ to the Los Angeles General Medical Center (LAGMC) Jail Ward after an attempting suicide, the watch deputy shall notify the booking deputy from LAGMC via telephone of the inmate being transferred to their custody.  The watch deputy shall document the name and employee number of the Jail Ward booking deputy who was contacted in the e-UDAL.

 

In cases when an inmate is escorted to LAGMC, but does not enter the jail ward (e.g., enters the hospital’s main emergency room only), and is not transferred to the custody of LAGMC Jail Ward personnel, the MCJ escorting deputy shall transfer the inmate to IRC after being medically discharged.

 

 

Revision Date 03/03/25

Revision Date 05/12/19