Report: Assessment of Mental Health in Louisiana Jails

This report deals with an assessment of mental health needs & services in Louisiana jails. In particular, the topic of jail suicide is briefly discussed. The majority of jail staff seemed to believe that genuine suicide attempts were rare & that most jail suicide attempts were attention-getting behaviors. Many jails reported placing potentially suicidal inmates in isolation, a practice that increases the risk of completed suicide. A need was identified for further training in suicide prevention.