BUNNELL – The county jail, officially called the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, had a hectic two days last week as two suicide attempts were stopped by detention deputies. One took place within the facility itself, while the other occurred in transport back from court.
The first attempt occurred in a jail cell. Ⓒ Eryn Harris
The first occurrence happened at 11:58 pm on Thursday, December 8th according to the Flagler County Sheriff Office’s report. One inmate used a cell intercom system to alert deputies to a crisis happening in a neighboring cell; an inmate was attempting to hang himself with his bed sheet. Two detention deputies rushed in, and one held the inmate’s weight while another cut the sheet. First aid was given until medical staff arrived and took over.
This inmate was subsequently Baker Acted and taken to a different facility to receive further mental and physical health evaluation and treatment. They had initially been arrested for various charges, including burglary, grand theft, and credit card fraud.
A transport vehicle like this one was the setting of the second suicide attempt. Ⓒ Eryn Harris
The second instance was 11:15 am the following morning, in a FCSO transport vehicle. The inmate had been taken to the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center to receive sentencing for their charges of credit card fraud, fraudulent ID usage, and probation violation. The judge had just given them five years prison time.
Once in the shuttle to go back to the county jail, the inmate is said to have tried to hang themselves using their seatbelt somehow. A corporal who was in the vehicle took the seatbelt away and delivered aid. Further attention was given by medical staff upon this inmate’s return to the jail.
“Had it not been for the actions of the other inmate, CCTV Operator, Detention Deputies, and jail medical staff both of these situations could have had a different outcome,” said Sheriff Rick Staly following the two incidents. “This is exactly why our detention team has to be ready and prepared to handle any type of an emergency. I commend all of those who were instrumental in saving the lives of these two inmates that were in crisis and the inmate that helped save a fellow inmate’s life by ‘seeing something and saying something’.”
TR
December 17, 2022 at 4:53 pm
Can’t do the time, don’t do the crime. Both these inmates would have saved the tax payer plenty of money had their attempts to kill themselves been successful. However, they were lucky that the deputies saved them both and gave them a second chance at life. Hopefully after their time behind bars they will turn their life’s around and become productive citizens of this country.
Dee
December 17, 2022 at 9:09 pm
TR that’s a really rude thing to say! Hate to ever be on your bad side. I can only imagine your feels if a more severe crime was made. See when someone is the depressed they want to take their lives the proper thing to do is to pray for them. I pray for you that you never have to face prison time for yourself or someone you care about or an attempt on your life in a depressive state or having someone you care about go through that. They broke the law but their crimes weren’t so severe as murder that they deserved death wished upon them!
TR
December 18, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Misunderstood my post. Truth is the fact. Don’t need to worry I won’t face any jail or prison time ever because I have common sense and know what’s right and wrong. So there will be no breaking the law for me.