question on parole and jail or hospital

If a parole officer suspects self harm, can they put patient in jail, or hospital?

They can involve other professionals quite quickly.

Are you self harming? Do you want to talk?

I did cut a few weeks ago. Fine now, just hope it won't happen again

Nah its not in their authority to suggest jail for that but they can involve health professionals usually with your consent but they can't send you to hospital themselves no.

They can't jail you (most countries don't have laws regarding hurting yourself), but since PO's are considered peace officers in many jurisdictions nowadays, they can have you committed on a short-term involuntary psychiatric hold, most popularly known by its California code of 5150 - yes, that's where Van Halen got the album name from. It basically says that you can be held in a hospital for usually up to 72 hours, as a risk to either yourself or to others, pending release by qualified psychiatric personnel. If you're considered an ongoing risk during that stay, the doctors can extend your mandatory stay for up to 30 days without court approval. Anything beyond that requires a judge.

That said, two things factor in, here. First, I've been in on a hospital-imposed Form a few times now for cutting and/or prescription overdosing, due to my Borderline PD, and I have never been in longer than the 72. I have a stack of Forms at home, but my stay has never been extended.

Secondly, PO's are people, despite all evidence to the contrary. If you play cool with them, they'll usually play cool with you. If it was a one-time thing, or if you're already working with a therapist, tell him so! He'll probably grumble that you did cut yourself, but he'll be happy that you're taking steps to work through it. Since you've already got a "get better" plan in progress, he probably won't want to do anything (like have you committed) that would screw it up.

Plus, it not only looks good on your PO that you're getting help without him ramming it down your throat, but him not having to have you committed means less paperwork for him.

So realistically, I don't think you have anything to worry about.