National jail standards call for a certain amount of orientation and followup training for custodial staff in suicide assessment and prevention techniques. These standards also require the participation of medical and mental health professionals in inservice training and other continuing education courses that may be required for professional licensure. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care's health service standards specify that jails must have a suicide prevention plan and that all staff having contact with inmates must be trained to identify suicide potential. Researchers recognize that the cooperation of both mental health and correctional personnel is essential to prevent jail suicides. The right of inmates to adequate mental health care is addressed, and strategies for a team approach to suicide prevention and crisis intervention are considered that emphasize communication and education. Future implications of the relationship between correctional officers and mental health professionals are discussed. 24 references