Opinion ID: 565198
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Corrections Personnel

Text: 17 Elliott alleges that the individual corrections officials and officers named in the complaint were deliberately indifferent by failing to assess Guy's mental condition and prevent his suicide. The district court found, and with one exception we agree, that there was no evidence that the corrections personnel had actual notice of Guy's need for protection from himself. 18 That exception, however, is critical. The sworn affidavits of detainees Deem and Hall both state that they heard Guy say that he wanted to take his life. Both Deem and Hall also swear that they reported the suicide threat to corrections officers. Yet the statements of corrections officers make no mention of being told of Guy's suicide threat. This discrepancy creates an issue of fact as to whether Guy actually made such a threat and whether Deem and Hall reported it to the defendants in such a manner as to be taken seriously. That Officer Malloy knew something of Guy's self-destructive behavior (the head-banging) strengthens the inference that a suicide threat should have been taken seriously, despite Deem and Hall's reputation as practical jokers. There can be no doubt, in light of the standard for deliberate indifference, that this issue is material to the case. Assuming that Guy's suicide threat was actually made and reported, a further issue is presented as to whether the corrections personnel responded reasonably or with deliberate indifference. See Torraco, 923 F.2d at 236. Resolving these issues requires evaluation of the credibility of the witnesses, which can only be accomplished at trial. We find, therefore, that Elliott has presented sufficient evidence to withstand the motion for summary judgment on the part of the individually named corrections personnel.