05/14/2022
A review of my book, "Su***de in Jails and Prisons: Preventive and Legal Perspectives"
by Ahmed Faheem, MD., Psychiatrist
Dr. A. E. Daniel had talked to me way back several months ago about his project where he was planning to write this book. Since then, I am aware that he has worked very hard and did thorough research to come up with this book that he asked me to write a review for. So, it was with great excitement that I was awaiting the release of this book. Now that it is out on Amazon, I have immediately decided and agreed to write a review after getting the first available copy of this excellent, very informative, and much-needed book, which is now out from Amazon.
As we have been made aware, su***de in prisons is the leading cause of death in jails and the third leading cause of death in prisons. It is public information that most of the cases are followed by lawsuits and a lot of public and media scrutiny in most of the cases. Dr. Dan has decided to discuss su***de prevention in jails and prisons and provide tips, techniques, and guidance to save lives. In doing so as the book states, the role of the correctional officers and mental health professionals in identifying at-risk inmates, monitoring, and treating them to mitigate the risks. As has been mentioned in the preface of the book, the readers of the book were to gain knowledge in inmate su***de risk identification, su***de risk assessment, best practices in su***de prevention, preventative steps to save lives, legal principles of malpractice, and deliberate indifference lawsuits, how to be an effective expert witness, and how to select an expert consultant. The preface also outlined what the book is to offer which includes special emphasis on correctional officers' role in prevention, it combines prevention and legal aspects of su***de, describes a methodology for experts to analyze legal claims, and thorough case histories show readers what could go wrong in the management of suicidal inmates and the legal process, and it offers possible solutions.
In my role as a reviewer, I would just summarize my own background. I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist, having certification in General Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, and Addiction Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrist by Examination in England, a Diplomate of Psychology from England, and currently Clinical Professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine, Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and current Director of Psychiatric Services at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital in Beckley, West Virginia. I have over 40 plus years of clinical experience in private practice and academic psychiatry in various set-ups and continue to be in active practice on a day-to-day basis. While I concede I don't have as much experience in working in prisons and detention centers, I have, however, worked in several similar situations and set-ups and continue to do so. I have also had the opportunity to be a witness and expert in several similarly related lawsuits dealing with the subject of su***de.
I found this book to be very easy to read, intriguing, full of excellent information, well written, well laid out, and very easy to follow. In spite of the nature of the subject which can be somewhat dry and nonstimulating to several people, it certainly increases the interest, curiosity, and quest to gain knowledge of everyone including lay people in the subject. It is laid out in Part 1 of the first five chapters dealing with the characteristics of inmates who attempt su***de, the method they use, theories explaining the phenomena of su***de, and the relationship of su***de to mental illness, substance abuse, and institutional risk factors, along with the best practices of su***de risk assessment. In Part 2 of the six chapters, the author discusses the causes of lawsuits related to su***de in the jail and prison, legal liability, risk management strategies, expert analysis, methodology, report writing, deposition strategies, and attorneys' perspectives on experts. To add to everyone's knowledge, interest, and understanding, Dr. Dan has also included nine case histories outlining a legal course of action.
The book is very Impressive in a lot of ways, but more so in the way that it is laid out and included topics that are of great interest to everyone not only just the people who are dealing and are directly involved with the topic, but also a common person because su***de is such a common occurrence in every set-up particularly as indicated very common and third leading cause of death in prisons and institutions. It gives a common man an understanding of who commits su***de, who is at risk, what happens, how the process works, why and how people end up taking this drastic step and what needs to be done to prevent it, how the judicious process works, and what to expect when they have to directly or indirectly deal with this topic themselves.
I want to commend Dr. Dan for his excellent work. I know that it has taken him years and years of experience and excellent knowledge to get here. It is without any reservation that I recommend this book to one and all not just the people who are directly or indirectly involved with this person, but to every ordinary citizen who has any interest in trying to gain knowledge of this subject or has a genuine interest in doing so
AHMED D. FAHEEM M.D.
Board Certified Psychiatrist -General Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, and
Adolescent Psychiatry
Clinical Professor -West Virginia University School of Medicine
Distinguished Life Fellow -American Psychiatric Association
Medical Director of Psychiatric Program - Beckley Appalachian Regional Healthcare
