BCSO announces program to reduce number of inmate suicides

Jail reported 5 suicides in 2016

SAN ANTONIO – The Bexar County Sheriff's Office announced a new initiative Monday to help crack down on the number of jail suicides.

The jail has formed a mental evaluation team to check inmates who might be showing signs of mental issues.

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A team of deputies will also travel to other agencies around the state to study other teams who run similar programs.

In 2016, the Bexar County Jail reported five inmate suicides, the most ever. So far in 2017, there have been two suicides.    

"We have expanded our training (and) to a large extent, we have enlisted the help of our families to our video visitation center, posting literature there, reminding families to let us know in the event that they see something,” Sheriff Javier Salazar said.

The jail has also increased its detention academy training from seven weeks to 11 weeks.