Suicide And Self-harm (SASH)

1
Suicide And Self-harm(SASH)
2
GSL Policy

• It is Mangaung Correction Centres policy to
  increase awareness among all our employees and
  inmates of the potential for suicide or self-harm
  among those committed to our care.
• A SASH programme has therefore being implemented
  to address those in need of special care.
• Suicide is possibly the most serious incident
  that can occur in a correctional facility.

3
The SASH Programme serves the following purposes

• To provide an effective system within the prison
  that will help employees to identify inmates who
  are at risk of harming themselves.
• To provide the support and assistance needed to
  prevent these inmates from harming themselves.
• To promote recovery from a self-harm or suicide
  crisis through care and supportive management

4
Suicide and self harm approach

• Holistic
• Multidisciplinary
• SASH coordinator Psychologist
• Unit Manager
• Registered nurse
• Social worker
• DSO
• Process is ongoing and will start on admission
  and will end upon release

5
Capacity building for employees who need to
identify inmates at risk

• Employees receive during induction, specific
  training on the SASH programme as well as the
  roles and responsibilities of each employee.
• The frontline employees will be sensitised on
  behaviour that could pose a risk and will be
  empowered to act immediately.
• The employees form part of a multi disciplinary
  team and will never be in a position to take a
  decision on an inmates life based on their own
  discretion.
• Employees receive refresher training on the SASH
  programme annually.

6
The SASH Process
7

• Identify an inmate who displays suicidal or
  self-harm behaviour (indicators).
• The Unit Manager is informed of the SASH inmate
  and immediately assess the situation in terms of
  placement.
• The unit manager will determine the initial
  special watch procedure .
• A SASH team will assess the inmate initially
  within 48 hours and thereafter determine progress
  weekly and attend to the inmates special needs.

8

• The frontline employee is equipped to utilise a
  observation tick list to give feedback on the
  inmates behaviour in the street to the SASH
  team.
• In all instances the inmate is included in the
  planning of the interventions needed to involve
  him in the healing process and to experience
  accountability for decisions and behaviour in his
  own life.

9
Indicators for inmates at risk

• Talking about suicide and self harm
• Giving away possessions to others
• Gathering lethal objects
• Significant mood swings
• Upcoming court case
• Current of increasing mental illness
• Life threatening illness, HIV and Hepatitis C

10
Indicators (continue)

• Social withdrawn
• Divorce or relationship breakdown
• Financial worries
• First offenders or fear of prison environment
• Alcohol and drug withdrawal
• Depression
• Irrational behaviour resulting from a mental
  impairment