Office of the Sheriff

Forsyth County, N.C.

Standard Operating Policy
Policy #
Subject

Bureau
Detention

Pages

549

Effective Date

Suicide Prevention,
Intervention and Special
Observation

Last Update

4
15 July 2008
9 July 2014
References: ACA 4th Edition Performance-Based Standards for Local Detention
Facilities: 4-ALDF-4C-31, 4C-32 and 4C-33
549.1

POLICY
It is the policy of the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office (FCSO) to develop and
implement a suicide-prevention plan identifying inmates who are suicidal and/or
show signs of suicidal tendencies within the Forsyth County Law Enforcement
Detention Center (FCLEDC).

549.2

GENERAL GUIDELINES
A. Staff shall be responsible for observing and trying to identify inmates who
are suicidal or display signs of suicidal tendencies, depression, strange and
unusual behavior and emotional and/or mental instability.
1.

All inmates will be observed and screened by the Intake Officer and
Medical Personnel, for signs of unusual behavior, emotional and/or
mental instability, and signs of previous suicide attempts during the
Intake Admittance Process.

2.

Inmates admitted into the FCLEDC shall be placed in an Intake Housing

Dormitory until they have completed orientation, been interviewed by a
Classification Case Worker and cleared by the Medical Personnel to be
reclassified. While housed in the Intake Housing Dormitory, inmates
shall receive supervision and management, including observations for
suicidal tendencies, strange or unusual behavior, depression and/or signs
emotional and/or mental instability.

B. Staff who observes an inmate which displays strange and unusual behavior,
depression and/or emotional or mental instability shall complete a Mental
Health Referral Form (FCS 1157). Once the form is completed it shall be
forwarded to the Mental Health Professional. Inmates shall be evaluated by a
Mental Health Professional or Psychiatrist within fourteen (14) calendar days
of a referral. (4-ALDF-4C-31)
C. A staff member who observes an inmate which appears to be suicidal,
depressed or displays other abnormal health signs shall immediately notify
the Zone Supervisor.

SOP 549 Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Special Observation

Page 1 of 4

D. Inmates who are identified as being a suicidal risk shall immediately be

placed on special observation. (Only the Mental Health Professional or the
Psychiatrist may authorize the removal of an inmate who is considered a
suicidal risk from special observation.) Inmates who are on special
observation shall be visually observed a minimum of four (4) times an hour
Officers shall directly observe, at least four (4) times per hour, inmates who
display the following behavior:

E.

549.3

1.

Physically hitting or trying to hit an officer; or

2.

Being verbally abusive; or

3.

Stating he will do harm to himself/herself; or

4.

Intoxicated, as determined by a reading of .15 on a breathalyzer or

displaying slurred speech or smelling of alcohol or inability to control
body movement; or

5.

Displaying erratic behavior such as screaming, crying, laughing

uncontrollably or refusing to talk at all.

6.

In addition to displaying behavior; a previous record of a suicide attempt

or a previous record of mental illness shall warrant observation at least
four (4) times per hour.

Inmate placed on special observation shall be relocated to a designated

special observation cell when available. All clothing and other items which
presents a security or medical risk shall be removed from an inmate who is
considered to be actively suicidal. The inmate shall be provided with a
security garment that promotes inmate safety and prevents humiliation and
degradation. (4-ALDF- 4C-33)

DOCUMENTATION
A. Staff shall document on the Post Daily Log Report (FCS 1106 A/B) actions
taken by staff when an inmate is observed with signs of unusual behavior,
depression, emotional and/or mental instability, or appears suicidal.
B. A detailed Incident Report shall be completed in JMS PISTOL system by
Detention personnel who places an inmate on special observation due to
suicidal risk.
C. Inmates placed on special observation shall have a Special Observation
Tracking Form (FCS 1156) completed with all areas completed as indicated.
This form shall be passed on at every shift change and the oncoming staff
shall date, sign and enter the team they are working in spaces provided on the
form.
D. Staff shall utilize the Guard1 Plus system; Incident Button Clipboard to
document inmate movement for any inmate placed on special observation
SOP 549 Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Special Observation
Page 2 of 4

and is in a designated special observation cell. If an inmate is on special

observation and a designated special observation cell is not available, staff
must utilize the Special Observation Log Form (FDC-S007) to document
inmate movement.
E.

549.4

When an inmate is removed from observation by the Mental Health

Professional or Psychiatrist, that person shall sign and date the Special
Observation Log Tracking Form. The officer shall document on the Post
Daily Log Report the time, name and title of the medical personnel who
removed the inmate from special observation.

CRITICAL INCIDENT DEBRIEFING AND REVIEW

All critical incidents related to suicide attempts and deaths by suicide shall be
reviewed by Command Staff and the Medical Contract Provider Administrative
Personnel including their Mental Health Personnel.

549.5

TRAINING
A. All Detention Officers shall receive annual training in the following:
1.

Certification of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

2.

Suicide Intervention.

3.

Identifying the warning signs and symptoms of suicidal behavior.

4.

The demographic and cultural parameters of suicidal behavior.

5.

Responding to suicidal and depressed inmates.

6.

Mental Health Referral Procedures.

7.

Special observation procedures including proper documentation.

8.

Follow-up monitoring of inmates who have made a suicidal attempt.

B. All training shall be documented in each officers training records.

549.6

OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Correct Care Solutions Policy No. J-G-05 Suicide Prevention Program
SOP 514 Intake Admittance
SOP 514A Intake Admittance
SOP 522 Inmate Classification
SOP 522A Inmate Classification
SOP 524 Inmate Reclassification
SOP 524A Inmate Reclassification
SOP 530 Inmate Supervision
SOP 530A Inmate Supervision
SOP 573 Medical and Health Care Services
SOP 573A Medical and Health Care Services
SOP 549 Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Special Observation
Page 3 of 4

549.7

COMPLIANCE
All FCSO staff members shall adhere to and abide by the rules and regulations as
set forth in this policy.

Approved By: _________________ Signature on file ____________________________

William T. Schatzman
Sheriff
Forsyth County, N.C.

SOP 549 Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Special Observation

Page 4 of 4