Suicide-related litigation in jails and prisons: risk management strategies.

Litigation related to suicide in jails and prisons is not an uncommon occurrence. This article summarizes the basic legal premises behind such litigations, which involve claims of medical malpractice and/or deliberate indifference. Common causes of omissions and commissions in correctional mental health care practice leading to such litigation are outlined. A few select court decisions are reviewed and, based on the author's experience, risk management strategies and procedures for clinicians and for correctional officers are provided.