Litigation related to suicide in jails and prisons is not an uncommon occurrence. This article summarizes the basic legal premises behind such litigations, which involve claims of medical malpractice and/or deliberate indifference. Common causes of omissions and commissions in correctional mental health care practice leading to such litigation are outlined. A few select court decisions are reviewed and, based on the author's experience, risk management strategies and procedures for clinicians and for correctional officers are provided.