Sheriff Reports to Commissioners on Review Following Suicides

Sheriff Jimmy Shinn reported to the Marion County Commission Monday on the recent suicides in the county jail.

Shinn told commissioners that, after an internal review of the incidents, he believes that his staff followed procedures.

Shinn says there are special procedures in place for inmates on suicide watch, but neither Charles Whitley nor Timothy Brokes were on suicide watch.

Shinn also said that, as a result of the review, an additional camera will be installed in the holding cell area where the suicides happened, and that inmates on suicide watch will have to cleared by both a behavioral specialist and a medical doctor before being taken off watch.

Whitley hung himself in his cell May 15th. Brokes hung himself two days later.