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Document DOJ-OGR-00024761

AI Analysis

Summary: An email chain between Shirley Skipper-Scott and J. Ray Ormond discusses an inmate's Psychological Observation status, their mental health, and placement in the SHU. The inmate has a pending incident report for self-mutilation and has requested protective custody due to their highly publicized case. The definition of Psychological Observation status is provided by the Chief Psychologist.
Significance: This document provides insight into the prison's procedures for handling inmates with mental health issues and the criteria for Psychological Observation status. It also reveals information about a specific inmate's situation and the reasons for their placement in the Special Housing Unit (SHU).
Key Topics: Psychological Observation status for an inmate Inmate's mental health and stability Special Housing Unit (SHU) placement
Key People:
  • Shirley Skipper-Scott - Associate Warden, MCC New York
  • J. Ray Ormond - Regional Director, Northeast Region
  • (b)(6); (b)(7)(C) Chief Psychologist - Providing definition of Psychological Observation
Document Type
Email
Date
July 24, 2019
Pages
1
Folder
IMAGES009

Full Text

Page 178 Shirley Skipper-Scott Associate Warden MCC New York 150 Park Row New York, New York 10007 Office: 646-836(b)(6); (b)(7)(C) Black Berry: 646-423(b)(6); (b)(7)(C) @bop.gov @bop.gov >>> Ray Ormond 7/24/2019 10:53 AM >>> Thanks!! J. Ray Ormond Regional Director Northeast Region 215-521(b)(6); (b)(7)(C) >>> Shirley V. Skipper-Scott 7/24/2019 10:49 AM >>> Below is the definition of Psychological Observation provided by (b)(6); (b)(7)(C) Chief Psychologist. He will remain on Psychological Observation until tomorrow, where he will be reassessed. DEFINITION: A Psychological Observation occurs when an inmate who suffers from a mental illness, a serious personality disorder, a medical problem (impairing their mental status), or drug intoxication and/or withdrawal symptoms begins to deteriorate. The inmate is no longer mentally stable and therefore, it is inappropriate for s/he to remain in general population or the Special Housing Unit (SHU). Inmates placed on psychological observation differ from inmates placed on suicide watch as they are not imminently suicidal (e.g., have not expressed self-harm or engaged in self-harming behavior), but rather, due to his/her impairment in mental status or functioning (e.g., not eating, not sleeping, disorganized/unusual thinking, poor self-care), his/her behavior can be unpredictable. Psychological Observation status is intended as a temporary designation to be utilized until such time as the inmate becomes sufficiently stable (e.g., able to function independently in general population) to be returned to his/her housing assignment or transferred to an inpatient psychiatric facility such as a Federal Medical Center. He has a pending incident report for Self-Mutilation and therefore, he will return to the Special Housing Unit (SHU) and will be celled with inmate (b)(6); (b)(7)(C) (b)(6); (b)(7)(C) he requested Protective Custody. His case has been highly publicized and he is in SHU because Shirley Skipper-Scott Associate Warden MCC New York 150 Park Row New York, New York 10007 Office: 646-836(b)(6); (b)(7)(C) Page 477 DOJ-OGR-00024761