D.C. Inspector General May Investigate D.C. Jail Suicides

The D.C. Inspector General's Office will review internal investigations of the recent suicides of two mentally ill inmates at the D.C. jail to determine if an independent investigation is needed, D.C. Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At-large) announced last week. Legal Times published an article today about the latest developments and previous articles about the suicides of 32-year-old Alicia Edwards and 28-year-old Thomas Alemayehu.

The D.C. Corrections Department released false information about the March 31 suicide of Edwards, initially claiming she was being held in the jail’s mental-health unit under 24-hour observation by clinical staff. Department spokeswoman Beverly Young later admitted to Legal Times that Edwards actually was alone in an intake cell when she hanged herself because a required mental-health assessment still hadn’t been completed. Edwards, who suffered from bipolar disorder, was jailed after absconding from a halfway house. Articles published on April 2 by The Washington Post and The Examiner containing the misinformation still haven't been corrected by either newspaper.

On Dec. 23, Alemayehu also hanged himself while alone in a cell, just two days after a mental-competency screening by the D.C. Mental Health Department found he showed no signs of suicide risk or mental illness. His friends and family say he had serious mental problems that should have been recognized. Like Edwards, he was not under increased observation or suicide watch.

Last Friday, Legal Times News Editor Brendan Smith discussed the inmate suicides on Kojo Nnamdi's "D.C. Politics Hour" on WAMU 88.5 FM. For a podcast of that interview, visit this link, with the segment starting 14 minutes into the show.

Comments

[KRusso]

Regarding the information/article of the DC jail suicides, who holds the contract to deliver mental healthcare to the jails inmates? That contractor is not referred to in any of these articles. Please email me directly if you will at DeathInstitute@aim.com

Thanks for your assistance.

[HaroldAMaio]

On Dec. 23, Alemayehu also hanged himself while alone in a cell, just two days after a mental-competency screening by the **D.C. Mental Health Department** found he showed no signs of suicide risk or mental illness.

I have never been examined by a "department," a whole department! Please, who examined him, who failed him?

I am certain there is a name to be discovered.