Sacramento County Jail Health Inmate Psychiatric Services Issue

The Lindsay M. Hayes Report found that the intake forms being utilized were inadequate. In addition, these forms were not automatically being forwarded to the Jail Psychiatric Services (JPS). In response, the Main Jail staff has revised its current intake forms in accordance with national standards. All appropriate and relevant medical screening forms are now transmitted by fax to the JPS in a timely manner. Also, arresting officers complete newly developed forms to communicate medical information to the county jail medical staff.

The Lindsay M. Hayes Report stated that classification deputies conduct inmate interviews, examine forms and review two screening fields to capture information on an inmate’s prior history. These deputies then use individual discretion to make referrals to the JPS staff. These referrals are not always made on consistent criteria. In response to the Lindsay M. Hayes Report, new classification forms have been implemented, which include questions regarding mental health and suicide.

The Lindsay M. Hayes Report states that contrary to some national correctional standards, JPS staff does not conduct a mental health assessment on each inmate within 14 days of confinement. In response, the Suicide Task Force indicated that it would be cost prohibitive to conduct reviews of health records for every inmate. However, there is a mental health screening of all inmates at intake.