#10 “How can we do better?” Clackamas County Jail’s Intentional Approach to Suicide Prevention (Part 2 of 2)

The Center Collaborative: Creative Solutions in Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice

NOTE: Please listen to episode #9 to hear part one of this interview.

Captain Lee Eby, Clackamas County Jail Commander; and Galli Murray, Clackamas County Health, Housing, and Human Services Suicide Prevention Coordinator discuss:

• Re-screening at the 2 week mark using the Adult In Custody’s (AIC) tablet. This volunteer screening works great for people who are hesitant to talk, but will respond to electronic questions. The tool automatically sends alerts so the AIC can be seen by behavioral health;
• Increased communication in the institution for AICs- brochures, information on ID cards, posters, orientation video;
• AIC’s free access to the Clackamas County Crisis Line;
• Increased communication with loved ones - jail website, posters in visiting, and the message loved ones hear when they call to talk to AICs;
• Enhanced training for staff;
• The new Behavioral Health Discharge Planner position, which coordinates continuity of care for AICs upon release; and
• The importance of a robust staff wellness program.

For more information about the intersection between criminal justice and behavioral health in Oregon, please reach out to us through our website at http://www.ocbhji.org/podcast and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OCBHJI/. We’d love to hear from you.

Links to topics in the podcast:

Brief Jail Mental Health Screen https://www.prainc.com/?product=brief-jail-mental-health-screen

Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) https://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/about-the-scale/

Suicide is Forever. Missouri DOC video male facilities https://youtu.be/BjSCUb_JS58

Female facilities https://youtu.be/4C9qdOVUwPE

Clackamas County Jail: Suicide Prevention Resources https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/jailsuicideresources.html

QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) Suicide Prevention Training https://qprinstitute.com/