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As short-term confinement facilities, jails across the nation experience a constant and rapid churn of individuals under their supervision. Often, and increasingly so, these individuals have significant mental health, substance use, or medical-related needs, often co-occurring. These populations present significant challenges to jail operations, especially regarding the prevention of in-custody deaths. This session presents the results from a recent federally funded study that conducted a national scan of the scientific literature coupled within in-depth interviews with jail and corrections practitioners from across the country. We first present an overview of the current state of the problem, describing the prevalence and risk factors associated with suicide, intoxication-related deaths, and medical illness. Next, we discuss the challenges associated with serving this population. From the review of the literature coupled with insights from practitioners, we then introduce promising policies, practices and programs that can reduce or prevent suicide, overdoses, and improve medical care.
A common theme centered around supporting and managing the population impacted by their behavioral health. Innovative practices included the implementation of comprehensive screenings during intake for co-occurring disorders, detox protocols and medications for opioid use disorder, and integrating behavioral health staff into the jail health contract. In responding to mental health crisis and preventing suicides, we will present on changes to observation protocols, the use of technology and overcoming facilities design barriers to prevent and intervene, and the use of peers.

PRESENTERS: Michael Planty, Senior Director of Justice Programs, RTI International, Melissia Larson, Program Manager, RTI International, and Michael Ukauka, Corrections Lieutenant, City of Las Vegas, Nevada

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