He said the environment is "kind of a powder keg for suicide attempts." Suicides in Texas prisons hit a 10-year high of 40 in 2018, and a steady rise in suicide attempts in these state-run facilities alarms prisoner rights advocates. The increase in suicide attempts parallels a rise in Texas prisoners being diagnosed with mental health conditions, despite the overall prison population being on a decline. "Prisons and jails have become the de facto mental health institutions in our country, and their mission is not to address mental health issues. Supporters of the approach say the rise in suicide attempts needs closer monitoring and further investigation.

Source: ABC News April 12, 2019 14:47 UTC