Suicide litigation as an agent of change in jail and prison: an initial report

Abstract

The effectiveness of psychiatric and psychological forensic experts in litigation concerning suicide in correctional settings is more of an art than a science. Although experts for both plaintiff and defense play equally important roles in assisting the finders of fact and contributing to just decisions, the expert's role and agenda for the plaintiffs are especially instructive to both sides involved in the adversarial process. The author summarizes the most relevant organizational standards for practice guidelines for suicide prevention in correctional settings and illustrates how these can be applied as standards for liability. Using these standards together with his extensive forensic experience in this area, the author illustrates how suicide litigation and the expert's participation in this process can promote improved care for potentially suicidal inmates.