The Justice Division is ramping up efforts to handle a disaster of suicides and systemic failures in federal prisons and jails, saying sweeping reforms aimed toward overhauling how psychological well being care is supplied behind bars.

Deputy Lawyer Normal Lisa Monaco outlined the measures in a memo and report Tuesday, directing the Bureau of Prisons to replace suicide prevention protocols, enhance psychological well being assessments for inmates, and undertake data-driven methods to cut back deaths in custody. The reforms may even apply to amenities overseen by the U.S. Marshals Service, a broader effort to handle continual shortcomings throughout the federal detention system.

The 14-page report stated the measures “will strengthen the Division’s capability to cut back the danger of suicide by adults in federal custody and advance a tradition of security in its establishments.”

The announcement comes after growing scrutiny on the federal jail system and a scathing report from the Justice Division’s inspector common earlier this yr, which discovered that systemic lapses—like people who allowed financier Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 demise—have contributed to the deaths of tons of of federal inmates through the years.

An ongoing Related Press investigation has uncovered critical points within the Bureau of Prisons, together with rampant misconduct, sexual abuse by employees, dozens of escapes, continual violence, and staffing shortages which have left its staff ill-equipped to answer emergencies.

Monaco, who has prioritized jail reform throughout her tenure, has been urgent company officers to deal with these points, holding common conferences to drive change in one of many federal authorities’s most troubled establishments.

Within the memo, obtained by The Related Press, Monaco stated the Justice Division should “try to avert each preventable demise of a person in its custody.”

“In pursuit of that purpose, people who’re detained or incarcerated within the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) or Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) ought to obtain well timed psychological well being assessments and prepared entry to probably life-saving psychological well being providers,” the memo stated.

The Justice Division would embrace a “multifaceted strategy to lowering the danger of suicide and self-directed violence” for each inmates and employees, in response to the memo.

“The Division of Justice is dedicated to defending the well being and security of each particular person in our custody,” Monaco stated in an announcement. “At the moment’s reforms—beneficial by consultants from throughout the Division’s litigation, legislation enforcement, and coverage operations—will scale back the danger of suicide amongst adults in federal amenities. Merely put, these measures might help us save lives.”