Trigger warning: This article discusses suicide prevention and mental health challenges. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support, resources are available, including the Washington State Employee Assistance Program and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
In mid-March, a call to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from inside a Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) prison set a critical response in motion.
The trained 988 Lifeline counselor determined that the incarcerated individual on the line was in immediate danger. DOC staff later confirmed they had written a suicide note and had a plan and means to carry it out.
But because of that call – and the coordinated response that followed – staff were able to intervene in time.
“Every call matters, and this particular instance involved a level of urgency where coordinated response helped prevent a potential loss of life,” said Dr. Ashley Espitia, DOC’s suicide prevention coordinator. “It shows our hard work has proved itself, and we’re really proud of it.”
Bringing 988 into DOC Facilities
Overdoses and suicides remain the leading causes of unexpected deaths in DOC facilities – highlighting the need for accessible, immediate support.
In response, DOC partnered with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to expand access to the 988 Lifeline within state prisons. The initiative was shaped in part by recommendations from the Office of the Corrections Ombuds following a 2023 fatality review.
The 988 Lifeline is one part of DOC’s broader comprehensive approach to suicide prevention – providing another way for individuals to reach out during difficult moments.
When someone calls 988 from a prison, they are connected to professional counselors from DOH who are trained to provide support to help prevent a situation from becoming a crisis.
The 988 Lifeline is not meant to replace existing mental health services. It’s intended to enhance services already available. Incarcerated individuals should still seek help from health services staff and should follow up with them after using 988 for continued support, say DOC staff.
Implementing the 988 Lifeline in a correctional setting required careful planning. Beginning in 2025, DOC and 988 Lifeline partners worked through logistical, technological, and security considerations to ensure the system could be introduced safely and effectively. This included planning for potential misuse, establishing safety protocols, and integrating the 988 Lifeline into existing suicide prevention procedures as a supplemental resource.
“Before launching, we did our due diligence in testing the newly added emergency response to receiving potential alerts from our 988 Lifeline partners that an individual was in crisis,” Dr. Espitia said. “We did this through several simulations with our partners. It took a lot of people to get this resource in place.”
A Growing and Trusted Source
DOC data shows the 988 Lifeline receives hundreds of calls per month from prisons, with call volumes increasing steadily since launching it in late 2025. While the call that occurred in mid-March stands out for its level of urgency, most calls don’t require that level of immediate intervention, Dr. Espitia said.
In fact, calls coming in reflect a broad range of needs. Individuals are seeking help with all sorts of challenges – like coping with substance use urges, maintaining mental wellness through stress management, and talking through difficult emotions.
This pattern mirrors what is seen in communities nationwide. According to 988 Lifeline data, only a small percentage of calls – less than 1% – require emergency intervention.
“Increased call volume doesn’t mean more people are in immediate danger,” Dr. Espitia said. “It means more people trust the resource and are using it the way it was designed – to reach out early and get support. Not every call results in an emergency response, but every call represents an opportunity to help.”