Score: 0 (2/6/2)

San Diego County Grand Jury • 2016-2017

Amended Grand Jury Report Examining the Issue of Suicides in San Diego Jails

Published: May 04, 2017 11 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 4 findings

F01

The Policy and Procedures Manual does not contain a comprehensive overall suicide-prevention plan with a policy statement listing the protocols (professional standards) to be used, nor does it clearly state that suicide-prevention principles must be in effect at all times. Fact: The Sheriff’s Department P&PM requires training programs for all employees. Fact: The Sheriff’s Department P&PM states that training is defined as an organized, planned, and evaluated activity designed to achieve specific learning objectives through classroom studies and closely supervised on-the-job training. Fact: The Sheriff’s Department P&PM states that staff development is defined as an organized, planned, and evaluated activity designed to further increase the staff members’ level of competence, which enables them to function more effectively.

F02

The P&PM shows provisions for various training and development but does not show adequate and sustained training programs to ensure a continuum of comprehensive suicide-prevention services. Fact: The Sheriff’s Chief Medical Officer does not have a full-time Mental Health Officer on staff.

F03

There is a need great enough for mental health services supervision in the Detention Services Bureau that a full-time Mental Health Officer for the jails should be a requirement. Fact: The P&PM requires a post-suicide meeting of all appropriate staff to discuss findings. Fact: In the P&PM, none of the procedures pertain to the oversight of the suicide- prevention plan.

F04

A continuous oversight of the suicide-prevention plan is needed in order to ensure that the suicide-prevention plan, the P&PM, and the facilities’ physical features are kept current with suicide methods used by the inmates.

Recommendations 4

17-24
Page 10

Update the Policy and Procedures Manual to include a detailed
17-25
Page 10

Update the Policy and Procedure Manual to include appropriate and
17-26
Page 10

Create and fill the position of a full-time Mental Health Director for
17-27
Page 10

Create a suicide-prevention oversight group that recommends

Agency Responses 2

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

San Diego County Sheriff

July 11, 2017 • 4 pages • 3 responses • Score: +1 (+1, 2, 0) View Details ▾

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3 responses to findings and recommendations

F01

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Sheriff's Department agrees with this finding.

F02

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

The Sheriff's Department disagrees partially with this finding. The housing of inmates in a jail setting carries with it inherent risks for staff and fellow inmates. Technology can, to some degree, reduce the risk of harm that is present when housing criminal inmates. Simply because technology becomes outdated doesn't, in and of itself, increase safety and security risks for staff and inmates.

F03

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

The Sheriff's Department disagrees partially with this finding; the housing of inmates in a jail setting carries with it inherent risks for staff and fellow inmates. A temporarily nonfunctional sally port door and or elevator, in and of themselves, do not necessarily increase safety and security risks beyond what would otherwise be present in the housing of criminal inmates.

San Diego County Sheriff

June 29, 2017 • 4 pages • 8 responses • Score: -1 (+1, 4, -2) View Details ▾

PDF

8 responses to findings and recommendations

F01

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

The Sheriff's Department disagrees in part with this finding. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department Medical Services Division Policy & Procedure does contain suicide prevention policies and procedures. Those polices include the inmate safety program and enhanced observation housing and training. The Department recognizes the Grand Jury's concern that all suicide prevention policies and procedures are not located in one comprehensive format and has taken steps to remedy the situation.

F02

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

The Sheriff's Department disagrees in part with the finding. The Department believes that its training and development is adequate to ensure comprehensive suicide prevention training. However, the Department is continually evaluating the training provided to all of its employees in order to find ways to decrease suicide risk.

F03

Response: Disagree Score: -1

The Sheriff's Department disagrees with the finding. June 29, 2017 Page 3 of 4

F04

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Sheriff's Department agrees with the finding.

17-24

Update the Policy and Procedures Manual to include a detailed

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The recommendation has not yet been implemented. A comprehensive suicide prevention policy, which incorporates national suicide prevention standards, has been drafted for review. Approval of the policy should be completed by September 30, 2017. Grand Jury

17-25

Update the Policy and Procedure Manual to include appropriate and

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

The recommendation has been partially implemented. An 8-hour initial mental health illness training is held at least once a month for both sworn and medical staff. The training was implemented in September 2016 and is ongoing. A second phase of training is in the process of development. It is comprised of 2-4 hours of annual training. The San Diego Sheriff's Department will also collaborate with PERT (Psychiatric Emergency Response Team) to develop a training lab and curriculum that will include specialized training for sworn and medical staff on suicide risks and prevention. A draft of the tr...

17-26

Create and fill the position of a full-time Mental Health Director for

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. Liberty Healthcare provides the Department with three mental health professionals in key leadership positions dedicated to overseeing the delivery of services and quality of care of mental health in our jails. These positions are Regional Program Director, Medical Director, and Program Administrator. In addition, the Sheriff's Department employs a Chief Licensed Mental Health Clinician who has program oversight for the Inmate Safety Program and Suicide Prevention. As a result, the Department believes that a full time Menta...

17-27

Create a suicide-prevention oversight group that recommends

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

The recommendation has been implemented. A Suicide Prevention Response & Improvement Team has been formed and is working collaboratively to update policy and procedures to reflect the Grand Jury's recommendations. The Team will also be responsible for the oversight of all staff training related to suicide prevention. In closing, I would like to thank the Grand Jury for their efforts in working with the Sheriff's Department through this investigation. ¢ June 29, 2017 Page 4 of 4 If further clarification or additional discussion is needed, please feel free to contact Lieutenant Esther MacLyman ...