Kane sheriff hopefuls address jail suicides
Kane County sheriff candidates Don Kramer and Willie Mayes Sr. have differing views on how they will work to prevent suicides at the county jail.
On Nov. 4, voters will elect either Kramer, a Republican from Geneva, or Mayes, a Democrat from Aurora. Incumbent Pat Perez is not seeking a third, 4-year term.
Since May 2012, two people have killed themselves at the Kane County jail, which is managed by the sheriff's office.
Kramer, who retired as a lieutenant from the Kane County Sheriff's Department in 2009, said he will require suicide prevention training for both correctional officers and sheriff's deputies who patrol the streets.
Kramer also said at-risk detainees will be provided with counseling and put in an area with constant supervision.
"The key to suicide prevention is reading the signs that are almost always present with suicidal persons," Kramer said. "Statements after an arrest and extremely telling. Screening is particularly important at the time persons are first booked at the jail, along with an initial 24-hour observation period."
Mayes, a current lieutenant with the sheriff's department, served two years as a Kane County jail correctional officer and another six years as a guard at the Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles.
"That's practical, hands-on experience," He said. "Theory is one thing."
Mayes says he advocates annual training of deputies, correctional officers and even court security guards. He wants at-risk inmates placed in an area where there is constant visual supervision.
"If we can save one person's life, everything we do as far as training is worth it," Mayes said. "A dollar of training is worth it's weight in gold because of the legalities (lawsuits against the county) on the back end."