Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #14 - What Else Works ... Volume 2 (ACJ14-A012)

Article 12: Peer Observation of Offenders on Suicide Watch: An Example of the Value of Prison Peer Support Programs (ACJ14-A012)

Abstract

Peer support programs are an example of “what else works” in a prison setting. This article presents peer observation of suicide watches as an example peer support program. We discuss its history in the United States; structure; benefits for the individual on watch, the peer-provider, and the facility; and pitfalls/ mitigation strategies. A significant benefit is enabling staff to reinvest effort previously needed for suicide watch supervision into more complex tasks. These programs have been used effectively and safely in various correctional facilities for decades and were recently piloted in North Carolina Prisons in conjunction with the in-house Innovation Institute.

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Authors

Dr. Emily Hazlett

Social Research Specialist, Innovation Institute of North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Prisons, United States

Dr. Emily Hazlett is the Social Research Specialist for the Innovation Institute of North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Prisons. In this role she leverages the large amounts of data already generated by correctional systems to provide Prison Leadership with insight on the current state of the system and context for potential changes to the system. Dr. Hazlett was promoted to this position in 2021 after spending 11 months working in the Behavioral Health section of North Carolina Prisons as the Clinical Programs Specialist. In that role she supported the data needs for all specialized behavioral health treatment units in the state system, including designing data reporting structures for the program evaluation on the North Carolina Prisons Peer Observer Program. Dr. Hazlett has over 10 years of research experience. She received her Ph.D. from Kent State University working with a neuroscience research group trying to decipher how brains understand the meaning of sounds. She has presented research at multiple national and international conferences and has published research in peer-reviewed academic journals. Dr. Hazlett is a member of the American Correctional Association and the International Corrections & Prisons Association.

Jeanine Slater

Psychological Services Coordinator, Mountain View Correctional Institution, United States

Jeanine Slater is a Psychological Services Coordinator at Mountain View Correctional Institution in North Carolina. Jeanine was promoted to this position two years ago, prior to which she spent 20 years working as a Staff Psychologist for the Behavioral Health section of North Carolina’s Prison system. Jeanine spearheaded the development of the first Peer Observer Program in North Carolina Prisons, and she continues to orchestrate and oversee the operation of the Peer Observer Program at Mountain View Correctional Institution. Jeanine also has experience treating sex offenders, having spent 11 of her 22 years in the SOAR (Sex Offender Accountability and Responsibility) program, and is a member of the Risk Assessment Committee for the DOC.

Charles Mautz

Innovation Institute Administrator, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Prisons, United States

Charles Mautz is the Innovation Institute Administrator for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Prisons. Charles was promoted to this position in 2020, after having spent approximately eight years working in the Behavioral Health section of North Carolina’s Prisons. He served as a Staff Psychologist and a Psychological Services Coordinator, both providing direct practice to offenders and managing treatment programming in prison units. He then served as the Clinical Programs Manager for Prisons, overseeing the administration of all specialized behavioral health treatment units in the state system. Charles has experience training staff and developing programs and protocols in North Carolina Prisons. He has served as a member of the Behavioral Health Documentation Committee and is a Master Trainer in both Electronic Health Record protocol and in Crisis Intervention Team Training for Prisons staff. Charles is a member of the International Corrections & Prisons Association and the American Correctional Association. He has presented at multiple national conferences on the development and utility of treatment-based diversion programming for offenders with mental illness in Restrictive Housing. He has developed and reviewed Policy and Procedure for various behavioral health treatment programs, including for the aforementioned diversionary treatment, as well as for sexual offenders, those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and those in residential treatment programming.

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #14 - What Else Works ... Volume 2 (ACJ14-A012)

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