LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – FOX5 took a look at the numbers from Clark County Detention Center bi-annual reports from 2020-2024 which showed a decline in jail suicides.
The last jail suicide was in 2022 and there have not been any since.
Deputy Chief of Clark County Detention Center, Chief Fred Haas tells FOX5 inmates get a mental health assessment as soon as they come in and that continues even after they are in their cells.
“When they come to us they are typically having the worst day of their life, something has gone wrong in their life that has led them here, feeling of despair, feeling abandonment by their family, drug addiction, all these different things can play into that fear of suicide,” Haas said.
Haas has been in his position since 2022, and since he took over, technology is being used as a way to monitor inmates that are high risk or are going through drug withdrawals.
Those inmates wear a bracelet that monitors their heart rate.
This works hand in hand with the mental health assessments they receive.
“We look at behaviors, mental status, where are and how do they feel right now, do they have hope, do they have a need for their family, do they have the drive to get to tomorrow,” Haas said.” I want my officers to look at this as somebody’s family member, somebody’s mother, son, daughter that we take that care.”
There are also cameras installed in the high risk areas for staff to look at constantly.
Haas tells FOX5 he also makes rounds at the jail at least once a week to speak with the inmates.
So far this year, there were two additional social workers added to the jail in June.
According to reports, the average daily population at the jail as of June 2024: 3,049
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