Deputies at the Daviess County Detention Center (DCDC) have been trained in not only conducting thorough surveillance rounds, but also in constantly observing their surroundings in order to ensure inmate safety. According to Jailer Art Maglinger, on Tuesday afternoon, that training and the staff’s keen attention to detail may have saved an inmate’s life.
According to Maglinger’s account, at approximately 3:00 p.m. on April 23, DCDC Deputy Jacob Chesher was conducting surveillance rounds at the jail in the Suicide Watch housing area when he noticed an inmate in an unusual position inside one of the cells. Deputy Chesher immediately radioed that the inmate was attempting to hang himself, causing other jail staff to respond to that area.
Deputy Chesher, Corporal McCabe, Sergeant Hicks and other jail staff made entry into the cell where they were able to release the inmate from a horizontal hanging position and relieve the tension on the inmate’s neck. Once the inmate was placed in a safe position, medical personnel conducted a thorough evaluation and cleared the inmate of any medical concerns. The inmate was then placed on constant observation.
When a video review of the incident was conducted, it revealed that the inmate was “resourceful” in utilizing items in his attempt that he was authorized to have in Suicide Watch.
“Because of the quick actions of the deputies involved, they prevented the inmate from serious injury or potential death,” Maglinger said. “I would like to commend the jail staff on their actions in this incident.”
Maglinger said the daily population of the jail is over 700 inmates who are housed in three separate buildings, with approximately 10-15 inmates on Suicide Watch on any given day. When an inmate is placed on Suicide Watch, they are given authorized items specifically designed for suicide prevention including a suicide prevention smock, suicide prevention blanket and mat. Maglinger said those items will continue to be utilized as part of the jail’s Suicide Prevention Protocol, although this incident has helped to increase awareness.
According to Maglinger, each new recruit at the DCDC goes through four hours of mental health and suicide prevention training, training related to surveillance rounds, 80 hours of in-house training, as well as scenario-based training including proper responses to suicide attempts.
Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) Christy Dossett is also at the jail 40 hours a week as part of the facility’s medical provider, Southern Health Partners. The jail utilizes telephonic triage services when Dossett is not available and works with both the Daviess County Court and River Valley Behavioral Health with issues that pertain to inmate mental health.
“In this case, the inmate who attempted suicide was placed on constant observation in a different area of the facility immediately following this incident,” Maglinger said. “This incident could have turned out very differently if not for the quick action of the jail staff involved.”
