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Document DOJ-OGR-00025121

AI Analysis

Summary: The document details the protocols for identifying and managing inmates with mental health concerns, including those with a PSY ALERT code, and the procedures for assessing their suitability for general population. It emphasizes the need for immediate notification and assessment upon return from court or other external movements. The procedures aim to ensure inmate safety and provide necessary mental health support.
Significance: This document outlines the procedures for handling inmates with mental health concerns, particularly those with a PSY ALERT code, and highlights the importance of timely assessments and notifications.
Key Topics: PSY ALERT code procedures Inmate mental health assessment Suicide watch protocols
Key People:
  • Psychologists - Conducting mental health assessments and assigning PSY ALERT codes
  • Operations Lieutenant - Notifying on-call psychologist and handling PSY ALERT inmates during non-duty hours
  • Warden - Being notified in cases of suicidal concerns or PSY ALERT inmates
Document Type
Unknown
Date
Unknown
Pages
1
Folder
IMAGES009

Full Text

Page 759 (verbally) to Psychology Staff or the on-call psychologist. Please ensure to maintain constant visual observation of the inmate until formal steps can be taken to ensure his/her safety pending a formal assessment by a Psychologist." The Psychology Department uses PSY ALERT codes more frequently with high profile cases and with inmates with a history or charge of a sex offense. The PSY ALERT code is applied immediately on classification and/or identification, and not just when an inmate is about to leave the institution. If an inmate is moved in and out of our institution for court, etc., the inmate is assessed immediately prior to being released to a unit. R&D staff have been reminded of the U.S. Marshal and Court alert notices. Psychology Staff are notified immediately if there are suicidal concerns noted by the Courts. If Psychology Staff is not in the institution, an inmate that enters the institution with an alert notice is placed on suicide watch, and the on-call psychologist and Warden are notified. These inmates receive a suicide risk assessment by a psychologist before being released to the general population. Inmates who initially enter and/or transfer into the institution with a PSY ALERT assignment will be seen by a member of the Psychology Services Department immediately and prior to being released to the general population. R&D will review the PP44 code and Intake Screeners will utilize the PP64 to determine if inmates entering the facility have a PSY ALERT assignment. If there is not a psychologist in the building when a PSY ALERT inmate is identified and/or if it is during non-duty hours, the Operations Lieutenant will immediately be notified and will then contact the on-call psychologist. The on-call psychologist will come in after hours to screen the inmate in R&D and determine their appropriateness for general population, as well as any other pertinent housing considerations, prior to the inmate's release to general population. Inmates may also be assigned a PSY ALERT function code by a psychologist while housed at this institution. Psychologists will consider not only inmates with substantial mental health concerns for a PSY ALERT assignment, but will use PSY ALERT codes frequently with high profile cases and with inmates with a history or charge of a sex offense. The PSY ALERT code is applied immediately and not just when an inmate is about to leave the institution. The attached institutional procedural memorandum has been reviewed by Central Office Psychology Services and implemented by MCC New York Psychology Services to outline the follow-up procedures when existing PSY ALERT inmates return from trips such as court proceedings and hospital trips. If any movement occurs with an existing PSY ALERT inmate, psychology must be verbally notified immediately when the inmate returns back to the institution. This would include movement from court, institutional movement, or hospital trips. The Psychology Department will also be notified of a PSY ALERT inmate's movement prior to the inmate leaving. The Psychology Department will be provided with the court lists as well as the Prisoner Schedule Report on a daily basis. These reports will be reviewed daily by a member of the psychology department to assess whether a PSY ALERT inmate is scheduled to go out to court the following day. When an existing PSY ALERT inmate who has already been initially screened by the Psychology Department returns from court with a notice from the Judge or Marshal's Office indicating imminent mental health concerns or concerns related to suicidality, the PSY ALERT inmate will be seen by a psychologist immediately and prior to return to general population. A psychologist will determine at that time if a PSY ALERT inmate is ready to return to general population, their psychological stability, and their treatment needs. If the inmate returns after hours and there is no psychologist in the institution, the PSY ALERT inmate will be placed on suicide watch pending a suicide risk assessment by a psychologist. The Operations Lieutenant, On-Call Psychologist and Warden will be notified. 8 DOJ-OGR-00025121