1. (a) Each sheriff/operator shall develop and implement a mental disabilities/suicide prevention plan, in coordination with available medical and mental health officials, approved by the commission by March 31, 1997. The plan shall address the following principles and procedures:

   1. (1) Training. Provisions for staff training (including frequency and duration) on the procedures for recognition, supervision, documentation, and handling of inmates who are mentally disabled and potentially suicidal inmates. Supplemental training should be provided to those staff members responsible for intake screening;
   2. (2) Identification. Procedures for intake screening to identify inmates who are mentally disabled and potentially suicidal inmates and procedures for referrals to available mental health officials;
   3. (3) Communication. Procedures for communication of information relating to inmates who are mentally disabled and potentially suicidal inmates and procedures between staff members;
   4. (4) Housing. Procedures for the assignment of inmates who are mentally disabled and potentially suicidal inmates to appropriate housing;
   5. (5) Supervision. Provisions for adequate supervision of inmates who are mentally disabled and potentially suicidal inmates and procedures for documenting supervision;
   6. (6) Intervention and Emergency Treatment. Procedures for staff intervention prior to the occurrence of a suicide and during the progress of a suicide attempt, or serious deterioration of mental condition;
   7. (7) Reporting. Procedures for reporting of completed suicides to appropriate outside authorities and family members; and
   8. (8) Follow-up Review. Procedures for follow-up review by the sheriff/operator and mental health and medical officials of all potential, attempted, and completed suicides.
2. (b) Screening Instrument. An approved mental disabilities/suicide prevention screening instrument shall be completed immediately on all inmates admitted.

Source Note:The provisions of this §273.5 adopted to be effective December 20, 1994, 19 TexReg 9650; amended to be effective October 23, 1996, 21 TexReg 10439.