5-08-040 Identification and Processing of Behavioral Observation Inmates
PURPOSE OF ORDER:
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for the identification, processing, security, and care of mental observation inmates that require mental health services at Men’s Central Jail (MCJ).
SCOPE OF ORDER:
This order shall apply to all personnel assigned to and/or working at MCJ.
ORDER:
Deputy personnel who identify an inmate exhibiting unusual behavior which could result in injury to themselves and/or others or identify an inmate who has a potential need for mental health care, shall report this behavior as outlined in this unit order.
Inmates who are classified as mental observation inmates shall be escorted by a deputy or custody assistant to and from their housing location.
I. PROCESSING MENTAL OBSERVATION INMATES
A. Upon observation of unusual behavior by an inmate, custody personnel shall request backup and a mental health professional to respond.
B. Handcuff the inmate, if needed. If the inmate displays recalcitrant behavior, follow the procedures delineated in Custody Division Manual (CDM) section 7-02/020.00, “Handling Insubordinate, Recalcitrant, Hostile, or Aggressive Inmates,” and call for a supervisor.
C. Deputy personnel shall interview the inmate to formulate an opinion on the inmate’s mental health status.
D. With the floor sergeant’s concurrence, the inmate shall be escorted to the clinic for further examination by medical staff.
E. Inmates with self-inflicted injuries or who are suicidal, shall immediately be escorted to the clinic for evaluation by medical staff and mental health staff. Custody personnel shall follow procedures delineated in CDM section 5-01/050.00, “Handling of Suicidal Inmates.”
F. If the Jail Mental Evaluation Team (JMET) determines the inmate will be directly admitted to Twin Towers Correctional Facility (TTCF), the inmate shall be medically evaluated at MCJ and escorted to TTCF Tower I Transfer Center. If JMET is not available, the inmate shall be medically evaluated at MCJ and escorted to the Inmate Reception Center (IRC) clinic to be evaluated by mental health staff.
G. The inmate shall never be left unattended or placed in a cell or holding area without the presence of a deputy or a mental health clinician. The inmate shall be under constant supervision until reassignment of housing occurs.
II. PROCESSING OF SUICIDAL INMATES
- In the event of an attempt suicide, suicide threat, self-injurious behavior, or other behavior which may indicate a decompensation of mental health status, personnel shall:
- call for assistance and notify Main Control;
- request medical staff and paramedics, if necessary;
- lockdown the immediate area;
- obtain the Emergency Response Kit (ERK);
- in the case of hanging, use the cut down tool from the ERK to immediately cut down the inmate. The preservation of life and officer safety shall be primary considerations;
- render first aid and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if necessary;
- Monitor the inmate’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
- All inmates who attempt suicide, threaten suicide, engage in self-injurious behavior, or other behavior which may indicate a decompensation of mental health status, shall be evaluated by medical and mental health staff.
Personnel shall complete a Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral (BOMHR) (SH-J-407) report and have it approved by the line sergeant and the watch commander.
If an 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.
Revision Date 03/25/26
Revision Date 06/14/21
Revision Date 04/14/15
Revision Date 02/12/14
Revision Date 07/29/13
Revision Date 12/01/05