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CRDF Unit Orders / Volume 5-Line Procedures

5-08-015 Suicide/Risk Precaution Prevention Progrram, Clothing, Bedding and Personal Items: Approved by CSS on 02/24/2025


5-08-011 Handcuffing of Inmates in High Observation Housing (HOH) Modules and Life Program
5-08-019 Department of Mental Health Cleaning Crew: Approved by CSS on 04/01/2025

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

 

CUSTODY SERVICES DIVISION

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS

CENTURY REGIONAL DETENTION FACILITY

Unit Order: 5-08-015

Effective Date: 03/23/2015  

Review Date: 02/10/2025  

Subject:  Suicide/Risk Precaution Prevention Program, Clothing, Bedding and Personal Care Items

Reference: CDM 3-14/090.00, 4-11/030.00, 5-01/030.00, 5-01/050.00, 5-01/050.15,

5-03/060.15, 5-06/010.00, 5-11/060.00, 7-03/000.10, and SJM Volume 6-04/010.00,

6-14/050.00, 6-06/000.00, and 06-06/010.00

Unit Commander Signature: On File                    Date: 02/25/2025

 

PURPOSE OF ORDER:

The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for identifying, monitoring, and providing treatment for inmates who present a suicide risk at the Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF).

SCOPE OF ORDER: 

This order shall apply to all personnel assigned to and/or working in any capacity at CRDF.

ORDER:

SUICIDE RISK PRECAUTION PROTOCOL

CRDF personnel who identify an inmate who may be suicidal shall immediately do the following:

  • If the inmate is secured inside their cell, remove them immediately.  If the inmate is uncooperative, notify a supervisor in accordance with Custody Division Manual (CDM) section 7-02/020.00, “Handling Insubordinate, Recalcitrant, or Aggressive Inmates.”
  • Segregate the inmate from all other inmates and place under continuous unobstructed visual observation and immediately arrange for the inmate to be interviewed by Correctional Health Services (CHS) “On Call Psych”
  • Notify a supervising line deputy and sergeant
  • Remove any articles that may assist the inmate in harming themselves (razor, sheet, towel, t-shirt, etc.)
  • Initiate and complete the first five (5) sections of the Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral (BOMHR) form (SH-J-407), or corresponding sections of the electronic BOMHR (e-BOMHR), as soon as reasonably practicable, but no later than the end of shift.

The inmate shall be under continuous unobstructed visual observation of custody personnel until they are evaluated by CHS personnel.  Upon evaluation, inmates determined to be suicidal/mentally ill shall be assigned to the appropriate housing location as directed by CHS personnel.  If deemed suicidal, the inmate shall be ordered to don the suicide prevention gown with all undergarments removed. 

NOTE:  The appropriate wristband shall be made before escorting the inmate to their housing location. 

CRDF RECEPTION

During the triage and/or classification process, booking/reception personnel shall ask the following questions to identify inmates in need of medical and/or mental health care:

1.  Are you currently taking prescribed medication that you must take within the next six (6)

    hours?

2.  Are you thinking about harming yourself?

If the inmate answers yes to either question, CRDF personnel shall immediately do the following:

  • Notify the reception center sergeant and supervising line deputy
  • Complete a Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral (BOMHR) form (SH-J-407)
  • Remove any articles that may assist the inmate/prisoner in harming themselves (sheet, towel, t-shirt, etc.)
  • Place inmate under direct and unobstructed visual observation on the “No Throw Chairs”
  • Expedite the intake/triage process

New bookings who make suicidal statements or initiate suicidal behaviors in the presence of CHS medical personnel during triage in the reception area, shall be secured to the “No Throw Chairs” in reception pending escort to Module [REDACTED TEXT] 

CHS personnel will update the inmate’s location on the Defendants Inmate Movement Management System (DIMMS).  The following CRDF operation/ location code shall be used to reflect the inmate was expedited to module [REDACTED TEXT] for an assessment by CHS mental health personnel:

  • CREX-Century Regional Expedite to Module [REDACTED TEXT]

Upon arrival to Module [REDACTED TEXT], the inmate shall be placed on the “No Throw Chairs” in front of the deputy booth.  Module [REDACTED TEXT] personnel shall maintain continuous unobstructed supervision of the inmate until they are evaluated by CHS mental health personnel.  If CHS mental health personnel deem the inmate to be suicidal and placed on risk precaution protocol, Module [REDACTED TEXT] personnel shall ensure the inmate is changed out of their blue Los Angeles County Jail uniform and placed into a suicide prevention gown. 

NOTE:  The inmate shall not be secured inside a cell until mental health personnel have conducted an assessment.

Inmates determined to be suicidal or mentally ill by CHS mental health personnel shall be assigned to appropriate mental health housing.  The appropriate wristband shall be made prior to the inmate being escorted to their housing location.  In addition, personnel shall ensure the BOMHR and Inmate Allowable Inmate Property form accompanies the inmate and is given to the receiving module personnel.

MALE SUICIDAL PRISONERS (CENTURY BOOKING)

Booking personnel who encounter a male prisoner who makes suicidal statements or initiates suicidal behaviors shall adhere to the following procedures for all non-cite outs:

  • The male prisoner shall be waist-chained and placed in booking cell #1 to ensure continuous unobstructed supervision of the prisoner, pending transfer to the Inmate Reception Center (IRC)

NOTE:  If booking cell #1 is utilized by other potentially suicidal/mentally ill prisoners, other cells facing the booking desk that provide continuous unobstructed supervision of the prisoner may be utilized, if necessary

    • Notify the booking sergeant and on-duty watch commander
    • Initiate 15 minute inmate safety checks utilizing the Title 15 barcode scanner. Adhere to the procedures described above in the section concerning inmate safety checks for female prisoners
    • Initiate a BOMHR form; however, do not generate a reference number
    • Contact the arresting agency for transportation of the male prisoner to IRC
    • Provide the transporting officer with the BOMHR form.

FEMALE SUICIDAL PRISONERS (CENTURY BOOKING)

Booking personnel who encounter a female prisoner who makes suicidal statements or initiates suicidal behaviors shall adhere to the following procedures for all non-cite outs:

  • The female prisoner shall be waist-chained and secured in booking cell #1 to ensure continuous unobstructed supervision of the prisoner, pending transfer to the CRDF reception area.

NOTE:  If booking cell #1 is utilized by other potentially suicidal/mentally ill prisoners, other cells facing the booking desk that provide continuous unobstructed supervision of the prisoner may be utilized, if necessary

  • Initiate a BOMHR form and generate a reference number
  • Notify the booking sergeant and on-duty watch commander
  • Initiate 15 minute inmate safety checks utilizing the Title 15 barcode scanner.  If the scanner is unavailable or not operating, a manual entry shall be made stating the time the inmate safety check was completed, in addition to the time the handcuffs or waist chain were placed on the inmate.  This information shall be documented in the “Additional Information” section of the electronic Uniform Daily Activity Log (e-UDAL)
  • Notify the reception sergeant and supervising line deputy
  • Expedite the female prisoner to the reception area and place the prisoner on the “No Throw Chairs”
  • CRDF reception personnel shall expedite the intake/triage process

NOTE:  All policies delineated in CDM section 7-03/000.10, “Security Restraints and Separation/Isolation of Inmates,” shall be followed.

NOTE:  Refer to Station Jail Manual (SJM) section 6-06/000.00, “Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral Report (SH-J-407),” and 6-06/010.00, “Attempt Suicide/Suicides,” for additional information pertaining to completion of the BOMHR report, the discovery of attempted or completed suicide intervention procedures, and outside police agency responsibilities.

ALLOWABLE INMATE PROPERTY DOOR SIGNS

Module [REDACTED TEXT]

CHS mental health personnel will provide Module [REDACTED TEXT] custody personnel with a temporary Inmate Allowable Property Door Sign form after each face-to-face contact for inmates classified as High Observation Housing (HOH), or for any existing HOH inmates with updates to their Allowable Inmate Property Door Sign.  Once the Inmate Allowable Property Door sign is entered in the Mental Health Tools system by CHS mental health personnel, Module [REDACTED TEXT] staff shall replace the temporary door sign with a permanent copy.

Module [REDACTED TEXT] personnel are responsible for ensuring all Allowable Inmate Property Door Signs are up-to-date and coincide with the inmate’s property inside their cell.  If module personnel identify a discrepancy, they shall contact the mental health provider who generated the Allowable Inmate Property Door Sign and ask for clarification.  If the discrepancy is validated, module personnel shall request a new door sign to be generated by the mental health provider.  Once obtained, Module [REDACTED TEXT] personnel shall immediately replace the door sign.

HOH Housing

Inmates classified as HOH and assigned to permanent HOH housing shall have an Allowable Inmate Property Door sign.  Module personnel shall ensure the door sign accurately reflects the inmate’s allowable property, the correct name, the correct cell number, and the correct booking number.  All discrepancies shall be rectified. 

NOTE:  For additional information about property restrictions for mentally ill inmates refer to CDM section 5-01/050.15, “Property Restrictions for Mentally Ill Inmates.”

Inmates on suicide watch/risk precaution shall not be given the following items at any time:

  • Razors
  • Plastic spoons
  • Plastic bags
  • Paper undergarments

Inmates on suicide watch/risk precaution may use a pencil during out-of-cell time and group therapy; however, all pencils shall be returned to custody personnel or CHS mental health group providers prior to returning to their cell.

Clothing and bedding

Inmates placed on suicide watch/risk precaution shall wear the County issued suicide prevention gown at all times, including court appearances.

The suicide prevention gown shall be exchanged as needed, or at a minimum of once a week.

Two safety blankets shall be provided to inmates on suicide watch/risk precaution and shall be exchanged at least once a month, or more often if necessary.

For additional information, refer to CDM sections 5-06/010.00, “Allowable Inmate Property,” and 5-11/060.00, “Issuance of Bedding.”

Emergency Response Kits

Each staff station shall be assigned an emergency response kit.  The emergency response kit shall only be removed from the staff station to assist in emergency response situations or during suicide intervention drills.

Each emergency response kit contains the following items:

  • (1) Craftsman Handi-Cut (cut down rescue tool)
  • (1) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Mask
  • (1) Bag Valve Mask (“Ambu bag”)
  • (1 pair) High Risk exam gloves
  • (2) Eye protection/goggles
  • (3) N95 Masks
  • (2) Protective Gowns
  • (2 units) NARCAN Nasal Spray (Naloxone)
  • (2) Towel

Personnel responsible for the staff station shall inspect the emergency response kit at the beginning of their shift and document this check in the electronic Uniform Daily Activity Log (e-UDAL) on each shift. 

For additional information regarding emergency response kits, first aid, and deployment/administration of NARCAN, refer to CDM sections 3-14/090.00, “First Aid and Suicide Intervention,” and 5-03/060.15, “Nasal Spray Administration for Suspected Overdoses.”

Locations of Emergency Response Kits

  • 1 in each module
  • 1 in each floor control booth
  • 1 in the Inmate Reception Center (IRC)
  • 1 in the Kitchen
  • 2 in Booking
  • 2 in the CRDF Main Clinic
  • 2 in the Watch Sergeant’s Office

Suicide Prevention Training at CRDF

The CRDF Training Unit shall conduct recurrent suicide prevention briefings via email or the Scheduling Management System (SMS).  These briefings shall be conducted on a quarterly basis to all CRDF personnel. 

In-service training shall be conducted on each shift on a trimester basis to assist CRDF personnel in the prevention and identification of inmates who are risk for suicide.

REVISED 02/10/2025

REVISED 05/19/2020

REVISED 06/22/2018