A male inmate who was in the Habersham County Detention Center on a misdemeanor charge tried to hang himself Monday afternoon. The quick response from a female jailer saved his life, officials say.
The inmate, whose name has not been released, was in a cell with another male inmate when he tried to hang himself with bed linens. His cellmate notified jailers using an emergency call button inside the cell.
“Our detention deputies immediately responded,” says HCSO Public Information Officer Kevin Angell. “One of our officers found that the inmate did not have a pulse and performed CPR while EMS was en route. The inmate was revived prior to EMS arriving.”
Habersham EMS transported the inmate to a local hospital. There is currently no other information available on his condition.
The incident was reported shortly after 4 p.m. on May 9. Deputy Angell says the sheriff’s office is conducting an internal investigation.
He credits the officers’ quick response and training with saving the man’s life.
“In serious situations like this, it’s imperative that our detention officers have the training to provide first aid to save a life in a correctional facility,” Angell says, adding, “It’s great work by our well-trained staff in the jail.”