Hamilton County Sheriff speaks about inmate suicide
It came three weeks after Bradley was charged with Criminal Homicide in the death of three-year-old Dakota James Arndt.
Monday morning Sheriff Jim Hammond said this is not uncommon.
“You know if you look over the history of suicides in the jail we usually have a couple that occur about every year."
Is there a way to stop inmates from taking their lives? One resident feels more manpower may help.
"I’d be willing to pay more taxes if that would save a life,” said Michael Sneed.
Sheriff Jim Hammond said they watch the inmates as close as they can and admits the numbers do not favor the prison employees.
"It is understaffed and it has been for quite a while. Somewhere around 520 inmates, total count for correctional officers is probably somewhere around 120."
Sheriff Hammond said the staff makes rounds every 30 to 40 minutes but that’s not for all inmates.
"Suicide watch requires we check every 15 minutes,” Hammond added.
15 minutes may not be enough time to prevent suicide.
"On average it takes three to five minutes for someone to take their life if they were determined to do so," said Hammond.
Justin Bradley, who was not on suicide watch, had a full 30 minutes before a guard would check on him.
While bulking up the staff could help, the best-case scenario is not realistic.
"I don’t think it’s feasible to ask a guard to watch a prisoner 24/7,” said Sneed.
Stephen Cahill added, “There’s no way to fund 1-on-1 observation for the inmates it’s impossible. It’s not cost efficient."
It’s a lot to ask an outnumbered staff to deal with every inmate’s individual need.
"Unfortunately we have a lot of inmates that are depressed for one reason of another,” said Hammond.
Justin Bradley was not on suicide watch, but he was in an isolation cell due to the nature of the crime he was charged with committing.
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