Sheriff: Jail suicide attempts more common than you think

By: Richelle Bailey | McDowell News
Published: March 18, 2010

Sheriff Dudley Greene credits a "conscientious" jail staff for saving an inmate over the weekend after he nearly succeeded in the third attempt to take his own life.

That inmate was among two who recently attempted to harm themselves while incarcerated in the county jail, something Greene said is not that uncommon.

"Suicide attempts happen more frequently in a jail setting than people realize," said the sheriff. "The jailers head off more than are successful."

He said that, around 7 p.m. Saturday, jail employees discovered that an inmate had torn strands of clothing from a suicide-prevention suit, had fashioned a cord around his neck and cut off his air.

The regular jail-issued clothing had been taken from him because of the possibility that he would use the pant legs to wrap around his neck. Instead, he had been placed in a heavy quilted suit that is made like a blanket with Velcro closures.

Greene stated that the man was in isolation, a usual practice when inmates are on suicide watch. Jailers conduct checks on those in isolation every 15 minutes, he added.

A jailer had just checked on this particular inmate seven minutes prior to a jail sergeant finding him unresponsive, according to the sheriff.

Sgt. April Poteat and Jailers Heath Helms and Jason Cook responded to the cell, cut the strings from the man's neck and began chest compressions. By the time EMS paramedics arrived, the jail employees had him breathing again.

"I am as proud as I can be of our people," Greene stated. "Our jailers are conscientious about those checks and responding to crisis situations. It can be a thankless job. I appreciate them. They do a good job with the resources that are available and the population they are tasked to supervise."

The inmate was taken for a third time to The McDowell Hospital, where he was a patient until Tuesday. He has since been transported to Central Prison in Raleigh for safekeeping. He will remain there until his court appearance in McDowell.

Saturday's attempt was the third in three days.

On Wednesday, March 10, he tried to set himself on fire with toilet paper and a lighter, and tied a sheet around his neck in an attempt to hang himself, according to Greene. He was taken to The McDowell Hospital, where a mental evaluation was performed and he was returned to the jail.

On Friday, March 12, he bit into a mattress, tore strands of material from it and tied those around his neck, the sheriff stated. Once again, he was taken to The McDowell Hospital. After a second evaluation, he was sent back to the jail.

"He was sent back after two suicide attempts, leaving us to do the best we could," said Greene.

Then, on Sunday, a separate inmate said he ate putty and paint of the walls and started beating his head on anything he could find to do so, said the sheriff.

He had to be temporarily restrained on a medical stretcher, and, as of Wednesday, he no longer exhibited the volatile behavior, Greene stated.

"I don't think the average person realizes the mental situations we have to deal with on a daily basis," said Greene.

He added that there are a limited number of facilities that will accept suicide patients who are under a bond.

Greene stated that each situation is handled a little differently, but there is no sure way to prevent people from harming themselves while in jail.

"We can take items away from them temporarily, but they have rights," he said, further explaining that clothing and mattresses are necessities.

The sheriff added that jailers have undergone training in crisis management, first aid and mental illness.

Sheriff: Jail suicide attempts more common than you think

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