MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A national expert says the juvenile jail in Memphis needs to take steps to better prevent youths in custody from hurting themselves or committing suicide.
The Commercial Appeal reports (http://bit.ly/SVeCzC ) that the report by jail suicide prevention consultant Lindsay Hayes is part of an ongoing overhaul of Shelby County Juvenile Court and its detention center, in response to U.S. Department of Justice findings that youths' due-process rights and safety weren't properly protected.
Juvenile Judge Curtis Person says there hasn't been a suicide at the youth jail during the past 37 years.
But Hayes' report found suicide prevention training for detention staff "inadequate and in need of immediate remedy." The report suggested periodic suicide or serious-injury drills for staff members to practice their roles in a crisis.
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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com
