Providing education on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) for support workers at correctional facilities

Abstract

AbstractIncarcerated individuals, especially female inmates, are at a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to the general population, largely due to past traumas and the stress of incarceration. Factors such as childhood trauma, sexual assault, physical abuse, and substance abuse exacerbate these mental health challenges. This quality improvement project aims to enhance the ability of support workers at the Women’s Community Correctional Facility in Kailua to identify and intervene with inmates at risk of suicide, thereby reducing the incidence of suicide within the facility. An educational program focused on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) was implemented to equip support workers with the skills necessary to recognize signs of suicidal ideation and take appropriate intervention measures. Preliminary findings indicate an increase in the support workers' confidence and competence in using the C-SSRS, leading to more timely and effective interventions. These results suggest that targeted educational programs may enhance the capacity of correctional facility support worker staff to address suicide risks among inmates. By improving identification and intervention processes, such programs may contribute to better mental health outcomes for incarcerated individuals, particularly women, who are disproportionately affected by past traumas and the stresses of incarceration. Further applications of evidence-based practice is recommended to explore the long-term impact of these interventions on suicide rates within correctional facilities. Keywords: Suicide prevention, C-SSRS, Correctional facility, support worker