Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced a series of over 50 measures aimed at reducing the risk of suicide among adults in federal custody. These initiatives will be implemented by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP). The actions stem from recommendations made by a specialized working group tasked with creating strategies to address suicide and self-directed violence within these facilities.
The Justice Department's mission includes the humane care of individuals in its custody, acknowledging that despite ongoing efforts, suicides still occur. Although the rate is lower than in local jails and state prisons, each preventable death is seen as one too many.
Outlined in the “Report on Actions to Reduce the Risk of Suicide by Adults in Federal Custody and Advance a Culture of Safety,” five main objectives have been set: enhancing information sharing for prevention, improving access to care, promoting healthy facility cultures, reducing opportunities for self-harm, and using data to refine policies.
“The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the health and safety of every individual in our custody,” stated Deputy Attorney General Monaco. She emphasized that these reforms are based on expert recommendations from across various sectors within the department and beyond.
The report was compiled after extensive review by experts from several divisions including USMS, FBOP, Civil Rights Division, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, National Institute of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Justice Management Division, Office of Legal Policy, and Office of the Deputy Attorney General. The evaluation also involved input from the Office of Inspector General regarding institutional safety challenges.
In addition to policy reviews and data analysis, listening sessions were held with external specialists such as researchers focused on custodial suicide prevention; representatives from various law enforcement levels; officials from judicial bodies; and organizations advocating for prison reform.
