Escambia County

Panhandle Jail Targets Inmate Suicides After Inmate Death

Panhandle officials are again revisiting suicide prevention measures after an inmate death.

Escambia County officials say they're implementing new strategies to make their jail as ``suicide-proof'' as possible.

Three inmates have committed suicide at the county's jail since November.

Plans call for corrections officers to spend more time observing and interacting with inmates and for jail staff to be required to document abnormal inmate behavior. More than one mental health professional will now need to approve an inmate to be removed from high-risk status. And when inmates do ``step down'' from high-risk status, the Pensacola News Journal reports they will be housed with a cellmate unless they have a history of violence.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us