The potential for suicide is greater if the individual is subject to stress from increased pressures such as, but not limited to:

• difficulties in coping with legal problems;

• the loss of a loved one through death or divorce;

• the loss of valued employment (high paying position in Correctional Industries [CI]);

• anniversary of incarceration date or offense;

• serious illnesses or diagnosis of terminal illness;

• threats or perceived threats from peers;

• sexual victimization;

• unexpected punishment (additional sentence or parole denial);

• recent transfer from another state or county facility;

• recently returned to prison due to a parole violation;

• long sentence coupled with poor external supports (family or volunteers) and/or minimal involvement in facility supports (education, treatment, activities, and employment);

• somatic complaints of a vague nature that do not respond to treatment;

• history of violence toward others;

• requesting protective custody;

• deemed to be a “high profile” case;

• long sentence, including life;

• history of alcohol and/or drug abuse; and/or

• The potential for suicide is greater if a parent, spouse, or other close relative has attempted or committed

The potential for suicide is greater if the individual manifests symptoms such as:

• auditory and/or visual hallucinations, particularly command hallucinations ordering the person to harm himself/herself;

• delusions;

• any change from the individual’s sleep pattern (this may be manifested by either a decrease or increase in sleep);

• any change from the individual’s ordinary eating pattern. (This may be manifested by either a decrease or an increase in the individual’s appetite with an accompanied decrease or increase in weight);

• social withdrawal;

• apathy;

• despondency;

• severe feelings of hopelessness and helplessness;

• general attitude of physical and emotional exhaustion;

• agitation through such symptoms as tension, guilt, shame, poor impulse control or feelings of rage, anger, hostility, or revenge;

• giving away personal property;

• removal of every visitor from the visiting list;

• changing next of kin notifications;

• expressions of death or finality (i.e. “it will all be better tomorrow” or “the world is better off without me”);

• frequent engagements in self-injurious behaviors and/or serious suicide attempts;

• sudden elevated mood (“everything’s OK attitude”); and/or

• psychic or somatic anxiety.