Zelda50
02-19-2004, 07:00 PM
www.registerguard.com (http://www.registerguard.com/) | © The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon
February 19, 2004
3 suicides prompt call for review
The Associated Press
SALEM - After three inmate suicides in the last six months, officials with the Oregon State Penitentiary called this week for a top-to-bottom review of the system.
The latest suicide occurred Saturday night, when 22-year-old Jeffrey Beers hanged himself with bedsheets just five days into an 18-month sentence for drug possession.
``We are looking at processes and procedures with an electron microscope,'' said Arthur Tolan, administrator of Correctional Treatment Services. ``As soon as we are able to put all the pieces together, we'll know how to respond to your questions.''
Prison staff found Beers hanging from a bedsheet shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday during a routine cell check in the disciplinary segregation unit of the Oregon State Penitentiary, spokesman Mike Yoder said.
Under prison procedures, corrections officers make cell checks every half hour in the disciplinary segregation unit, a 90-cell jail for prison troublemakers.
Convicted identity thief Robin Snow, 26, hanged himself there in August. Next came convicted murderer John Craven, 33, who hanged himself in October.
Prison staff reported that none of the inmates exhibited overt signs of suicidal intent.
February 19, 2004
3 suicides prompt call for review
The Associated Press
SALEM - After three inmate suicides in the last six months, officials with the Oregon State Penitentiary called this week for a top-to-bottom review of the system.
The latest suicide occurred Saturday night, when 22-year-old Jeffrey Beers hanged himself with bedsheets just five days into an 18-month sentence for drug possession.
``We are looking at processes and procedures with an electron microscope,'' said Arthur Tolan, administrator of Correctional Treatment Services. ``As soon as we are able to put all the pieces together, we'll know how to respond to your questions.''
Prison staff found Beers hanging from a bedsheet shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday during a routine cell check in the disciplinary segregation unit of the Oregon State Penitentiary, spokesman Mike Yoder said.
Under prison procedures, corrections officers make cell checks every half hour in the disciplinary segregation unit, a 90-cell jail for prison troublemakers.
Convicted identity thief Robin Snow, 26, hanged himself there in August. Next came convicted murderer John Craven, 33, who hanged himself in October.
Prison staff reported that none of the inmates exhibited overt signs of suicidal intent.