N.S. death committee calls for Correctional Services to adopt suicide prevention strategy

A close-up photo of a man in handcuffs. (Source: Getty)

A Nova Scotia review committee is calling for Correctional Services to adopt a suicide prevention strategy.

The recommendation comes from the Death in Custody Review Committee, which submits reports in the wake of tragic deaths in an effort to improve systems. Similar groups include the Child Death Review Committee and the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee.

Before the reports are submitted, all personal or identifying information is removed to protect the privacy of the affected people.

The Death in Custody Review Committee’s latest report comes with six recommendations, including the call for a formal suicide prevention strategy and implementation plan with Correctional Services, which is responsible for administrating and operating community and custody-based programs and services in Nova Scotia.

“Although Correctional Services has a number of policies and procedures that pertain to suicide prevention, we note that it does not have an overarching, evidence-based, suicide prevention strategy,” the report reads. “Preventing deaths of this type requires a broad all-encompassing strategy that is not limited to improved procedures at intake or supplying persons in custody with suicide kits.

“Suicide prevention strategies have been shown to be effective in reducing suicides in correctional settings.”

The report noted the possible strategy should have some or all of the elements of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. It should also have measures to reduce the time between wellness checks.

The report also called for a provincewide suicide prevention strategy and implementation plan.

“This case provides powerful proof that the risk factors for suicide are established early in life,” the report reads. “Deaths of this type are tragic, and there are many points when intervention can change the outcome.

“Most people’s lives are spent outside custody, therefore efforts to prevent deaths in custody must be embedded in a broader strategy that prioritizes upstream efforts at prevention.”

The report recommended the admissions and intake processes be redesigned to be person-centred with a focus on suicide prevention and health-care assessment.

“The admission and intake process at the time of this individual’s death was inadequate and failed to meet their needs,” the report reads. “Suicide and mental health risks were not identified in a timely manner, limiting the ability of the staff to respond adequately.

“Preventing future suicide deaths starts with robust intake procedures that support early identification of suicide and mental health risks and enables intervention.”

Other recommendations include:

• Correctional Services and the Nova Scotia Health Authority should implement a provincewide correctional health-care standard that guarantees 24/7 access to medical and mental health services in all facilities
• the provincial government should fund the Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network in a sustainable manner
• the provincial government should implement data standards for the collection and use of information to identify, monitor and address systemic hate, inequity and racism

Domestic violence report

A separate report from the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee released on the same day has one recommendation: continue to explore the inclusion of survivors, family members and their community to design programs to increase awareness about domestic and intimate partner violence.

“Educational programs and initiatives that increase awareness about domestic and intimate partner violence currently exist,” the report reads. “However, the Committee recommends improved collaboration and coordination between Government and community organizations in the delivery of these programs and initiatives to help ensure that critical information reaches more survivors, their family, community members, and the general public.

“Through education and increased awareness, we can support more Nova Scotians to be aware of the harm domestic and intimate partner violence has on individuals, families, and communities and, hopefully, have the knowledge to support a family member or friend who is experiencing abuse to seek help.”

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