You have an inmate with mental health issues you should...

• A. Ignore and observe
• B. Notify your supervisor and notify Behavioral Health
• C. Transport to a medical unit
• D. Document and move on

Answer: (B)

When an inmate shows signs of mental health issues, safety and proper evaluation are the top priorities. Notifying your supervisor and Behavioral Health brings in trained professionals to assess the situation, de-escalate if needed, and determine the appropriate level of care. This approach ensures the inmate gets the right evaluation and treatment, protects staff safety, and keeps you and the facility handling the situation through proper oversight and documentation.

Ignoring and observing can miss a crisis or escalate unexpectedly. Transporting to a medical unit without mental health input may not address the behavioral health needs and could lead to inappropriate care. Simply documenting and moving on avoids getting the necessary treatment and safety measures in place.