What's the best way to deter inmates from abusing the safety cell?

[1Jessie86]

I work at a detention facility where detainees and inmates will claim that they are suicidal either because they want to be alone, attempt to get extra food or they want someone to talk to (the officer that will be posted outside the door). 90% of these detainees/inmates who claim suicidality are not actually suicidal but they know that as soon as they make that clam, policy says, we must place them in the safety cell. Is there any way around this? How can this be deterred?

[HyzenthlayLPN]

I would hope the safety cell is truly a safety cell. The ones at the prison where I worked had a metal cot, no sheets, blankets or pillows, and the usual metal toilet/sink. The inmates went in there completely nude. They usually wound up wrapped from head to toe in toilet paper, mummy style, shivering on the metal cot. They got the same food, and nobody stood out there to talk to them. I never saw any inmate be suicidal longer than 24 hours.

I think those conditions would MAKE me suicidal. That sounds like torture.

[Woodstock11]

Sometimes..after talking for a few minutes you find out it is actually a bunkie problem. Security will move them around if possible. Sometimes the captain will come in. He/she will have a private conversation w the i/m and he is no longer suicidal and is put in a mgt cell on 15 min checks by officers. If they say all the right words, they go into a psyc cell. Property restriction..no sheets turtle suit..after calling the on call shrink. Because Mental health leaves at 3:55 and psyc emergencies happen at 4:05..

[TriciaJ, RN]

The safety smock is usually a good deterrent. The cell is stripped down (why would there be extra snacks or anything else? What a dumb idea.) There are no linens on the bed. There is no clothing. The inmate wears a canvas jumper that fastens on with velcro. More humane than total nudity but can't be torn up. Inmates will complain of course that they are being punished for having suicidal thoughts. You explain that safety is top priority.

The will to live is usually restored in short order.

[person]

Paper gown only.

And like in my second week at a prison don't give them lotion for their feet in a med cup. (You come in the next day and hear the other nurses say, I wish I knew who gave him that lotion, then you become proud that you let the milk of human kindness flow from your breast and believe they are commenting on the kindness someone showed to thier fellow man). When you proudly proclaim it was me, expecting congratulations for not being jaded and turning your head away from his needs, you are told he was using it to masturbate. EVERY INCOUNTER WITH EVERY INMATE INVOLVES MANIPULATION.