MENTAL HEALTH G-130 01-24-23 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NO: G-130
FILE: MENTAL HEALTH
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12-25-94 REVISED: 05-05-95, 05-01-98, 06-15-18
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: Penal Code Sections 4011, 4011.6, 4011.8 and 4023. Welfare and
Institutions Code Section 5150; California Code of Regulations, Title 15,Sections
1203, 1205, 1207, 1207.5, 1208, 1209, 1210, 1211, and 1216; 45 CFR 164.512;
Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (42 USC 15601) 28 CFR 115; and Hall v.
County of Fresno, E.D. Cal. No: 1-11-CV-02047-LJO-BAM (2015).
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the mental health care of inmates
housed in the Fresno County Sheriff's Office Detention Facilities.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that adequate and timely
mental health care shall be provided to any inmate in custody who demonstrates the need,
or is determined to need, mental health care. This care shall be in a manner consistent
with all applicable standards of mental health care and in compliance with all applicable
Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, directives, and all applicable State and
Federal court orders.
The Fresno Sheriff's Office is responsible for the on-site and off-site mental health care
services for the inmates at the Fresno County Jail. With the approval of the Fresno County
Board of Supervisors, such services may be contracted to a private service provider. The
service provider shall operate a mental health care program that meets the local community
standards of care, and supply all services under the terms of the negotiated contract.
PROCEDURES:
I. MENTAL HEALTH STAFF
A. Clinical decisions, diagnoses, and treatment plans shall only be made
by licensed mental health clinicians (psychiatrists, psychologists,
therapists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses). Licensed mental
health clinicians shall review and cosign record entries made by
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TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NO: G-130
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Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPTs) and Licensed Vocational
Nurses (LVNs) when LVNs and LPTs are providing behavioral health
services.
B. Mental health staff shall be appropriately credentialed according to the
licensure, certification, and registration requirements for the State of
California.
C. Mental health staff shall be assigned to work in the jail and to evaluate,
monitor, and treat inmates who show signs of mental, rather than
physical problems. Mental health staff shall assist correctional officers
in dealing with inmates who show signs of emotional or mental
problems.
II. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
A. Mental health staff shall be responsible to provide the following
services-
1. Mental health evaluations and assessment of treatment needs of
inmates who require (or appear to require) mental health services
(e.g., inmates with suicidal ideations, inmates in crisis, inmates who
currently participate in a methadone treatment program, inmates
who reported alcohol and drug abuse, or who disclosed prior sexual
victimization, etc.).
2. Mental health treatment programs provided by qualified staff,
including the use of telehealth.
3. Crisis intervention services.
4. Basic mental health services as clinically indicated.
5. Psychiatric medication support services (e.g., access to
medications, monitoring the effects of the medications prescribed by
the psychiatrist, etc.).
6. Suicide prevention services (completing suicide risk assessments
and monitoring inmates assessed to be low, moderate, and high
risk).
7. Safety cell checks, evaluations, and follow-up.
8. Short-term individual and/or psycho-educational or psychotherapy
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group sessions.
9. Monitoring of SMI inmates housed in administrative segregation
lockdown and disciplinary housing. Development and implementa-
tion of individualized treatment plans (e.g., Behavioral Management
Plans [BMP's] to modify problematic behaviors).
10. Evaluations for and documentation of the need for involuntary acute
hospitalization pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code 5150.
11. Continuity of care from admission to transfer or discharge from the
facility, including referral to community-based providers, when
indicated.
B. Mental health staff may make recommendations to Population
Management staff regarding inmate housing assignment locations
and/or changes, as appropriate. Mental health staff will provide a
reason for such recommendation.
C. Mental health staff will coordinate with medical staff to ensure that care
is appropriately integrated, medical and mental health needs are met,
and the impact of any condition on each other is adequately addressed.
D. Mental health staff will collaborate with the Department of Behavioral
Health (DBH) to provide continuity of care with psychiatric medications
and referrals to DBH services. Mental health staff shall have access to
the DBH computerized information database to facilitate such care.
III. INITIAL HEALTH CARE SCREENING FOR ARRESTEES
A. All arrestees shall be screened by the Booking Nurse (i.e., registered
nurse or nurse practioner) prior to acceptance for booking.
B. Health care intake screening shall include, but not be limited to, medical
and mental health problems, developmental disabilities, tuberculosis
and other communicable diseases.
1. The Intake/Receiving Screening Form includes questions regarding
history of mental health problems or treatment, hospitalizations,
and/or current or previous thoughts of self-harm.
2. Inmates identified as having developmental disabilities, mental
retardation, and/or learning disabilities will be referred to mental
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health staff for assessment. Mental health staff shall contact the
Central Valley Regional Center for the purposes of diagnosis and/or
treatment within 24 hours of such determination, excluding holidays
and weekends.
3. Inmates displaying signs of suicide risk at intake screening will be
referred for an immediate mental health evaluation.
C. The Booking Nurse may recommend that any arrestee who is in need of
obvious acute medical attention not be accepted into custody. (The
screening shall be fully completed, so that all detectable medical needs
can be addressed prior to acceptance.)
1. The recommendation will be reviewed and approved by the Watch
Commander.
2. The arresting/transporting officer shall be responsible to transport the
arrestee to Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) or other
medical facility so that his or her medical needs can be addressed prior
to booking into the Jail. The transporting officer will be required to
provide a copy of the CRMC medical clearance paperwork, upon
return.
3. If the Booking Nurse again finds the arrestee not fit for confinement,
the nurse shall consult with the on-duty (or on-call) physician (or
psychiatrist, as applicable).
4. If the physician/psychiatrist concurs with the Booking Nurse and rejects
the arrestee, the Watch Commander will "override" the decision and
accept the arrestee into custody.
5. The Watch Commander will coordinate with Medical/Mental Health to
transport the inmate back to CRMC via the site Emergency Room
transfer process to address the inmate's medical care and fitness for
confinement needs.
6. The contracted medical provider will be responsible to coordinate with
CRMC regarding subsequent care of the inmate, to ensure their fitness
for confinement upon discharge from the Emergency Room, as
necessary. [See flowchart on Addendum A.]
D. If the arrestee is found fit for incarceration but requires further medical
attention, he/she shall be treated by jail medical staff. If the arrestee
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TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NO: G-130
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requires psychiatric treatment, he/she shall be provided a mental health
evaluation by health services stafft, who shall consult with Population
Management staff regarding appropriate housing for the inmate.
IV. SPECIAL MENTAL DISORDER ASSESSMENT
An additional mental health screening will be performed on women who
have given birth within the past year and are charged with murder or
attempted murder of their infants. Such screening will be performed at
intake and, if the assessment indicates postpartum psychosis, a referral for
further evaluation will be made.
V. ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT
A. Mental health service requests are to be made in writing, utilizing a
Health Services Request Form. Inmates are to place the completed
forms in the locked boxes located inside each pod. Health Services
Request Forms will be collected by health care staff during medication
passes at least twice a day. Health care staff will pick up completed
health service request forms directly from inmates in Iockdown units
during medication passes twice a day. The Charge Nurse will review
and triage each request prior to placement of the inmate's name on the
sick call list and/or scheduling an appointment.
B. Mental health staff may receive referrals for mental health evaluations
from correctional and medical staff.
1. Population Management Unit staff may refer inmates with
documented mental health history (e.g., safety cell placements),
inmates who report prior sexual victimization, inmates who are
exhibiting mental impairments during classification interviews, and
inmates returning from State Hospitals.
2. Correctional and medical staff may refer inmates who display signs
of suicide risk or require other crisis intervention services. (Refer to
policies D-260/Suicide Prevention [FILE: SUICIDE] and D-360/
Sexual Misconduct and Abuse [FILE: SEXUAL ABUSE].)
3. If at any time, medical or custody staff is made aware of a mental
condition that was not conveyed or detected at the time of
booking/screening, the discovering staff member should report that
information to the appropriate mental health staff.
VI. PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS
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TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NO: G-130
FILE: MENTAL HEALTH
A. Psychiatric medications, including but not limited to antipsychotic
medications, shall be prescribed to inmates with mental illness in accord
with nationally accepted professional standards for the treatment of
serious mental illness. Prescription medications shall only be prescribed
by licensed physicians, physician's assistants, psychiatrists, or nurse
practitioners, within the scope of their licensures.
B. Physicians shall "bridge"all verified, valid prescriptions for inmates who
enter the facility currently on psychiatric medications.
1. Inmates who receive such bridge medications shall receive a face-
to-face evaluation with a psychiatrist within seven (7) days of
initiation of the medication.
2. Follow-up face-to-face evaluations shall occur as needed, but within
thirty (30) days following the initial visit.
3. Subsequent face-to-face evaluations by the psychiatrist shall occur
as needed, but at intervals of no more than ninety (90) days.
C. Inmates who are prescribed psychiatric medications by the psychiatrist
(i.e., not "bridge" medications) shall receive follow-up face-to-face
evaluations with a psychiatrist as needed depending on their clinical
status, but no later than thirty (30) days following the initial visit.
Subsequent visits shall occur as needed, but at intervals of no more
than ninety (90) days.
D. Medication shall be distributed to the inmates each day at designated
times by designated medical staff. Psychotropic medications are
excluded from self-administration.
E. Some psychotropic medications can pose a serious health risk during
times of extreme heat by impairing the body's ability to regulate
temperature. Temperatures in all jail facilities are monitored for the
purpose of ensuring that inmates prescribed psychotropic medications
are not at risk of heat-related illness from extremely hot conditions (i.e.,
when the heat index reaches or exceeds 90°). Conversely, inmates are
provided with extra blankets and/or thermal underclothing as needed in
extremely cold conditions (i.e., when the temperature of a housing unit
drops below 630F). (Refer to policy B-190/Air Pollutants, Extreme
Temperatures and Heat-Risk Medications [FILE: WEATHER RISKS].)
VI I. SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS
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FILE: MENTAL HEALTH
A. If an inmate indicates during intake screening that they have
experienced prior sexual victimization, whether it occurred in an
institutional setting or in the community, the inmate shall be offered a
follow-up meeting with a medical or mental health practitioner within
fourteen (14) days of the intake screening.
B. If an inmate is a victim of sexual assault that occurs while in-custody,
the inmate/victim must be provided with appropriate mental health
services, confidentially, and at no cost, in a manner consistent with the
level of care in the community.
1. The inmate will be referred for an urgent suicide risk assessment,
and shall be evaluated within one (1) hour of referral.
2. The inmate shall be monitored for suicidal impulses, post-traumatic
stress disorder, depression, and other mental health consequences.
3. The inmate shall be offered crisis intervention counseling,
appropriate to the needs of the victim.
C. The ongoing evaluation and treatment of such victims shall include, as
appropriate, follow-up services, treatment plans, and when necessary,
referrals for continued care. (Refer to Section XV/Continuity of Care.)
Vill. SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RISK ASSESSMENT
A. All arrestees and inmates shall be medically screened at the time of
intake by a medical staff member for possible signs and symptoms of
suicidal behavior.
B. Inmates displaying signs of suicide risk shall be referred to a mental
health clinician for an evaluation.
C. Inmates who have been sexually assaulted while in-custody shall be
referred for an urgent suicide risk assessment.
D. Mental health clinicians shall complete a comprehensive suicide risk
assessment form for all inmates who display signs of suicide risk to
determine if the inmate presents a low, moderate, or high risk of suicide.
Mental health clinicians shall complete a new form if there are
indications of any modification of risk factors, including but not limited to
any suicide attempts or expressions of suicidal ideation. A
comprehensive suicide risk assessment form will also be completed for
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inmates who appear to be a danger to themselves or others and/or
inmates who display violent behavior.
1. Upon completion of the suicide risk assessment form, mental health
staff shall create a corresponding Alert in Offendertrak indicating the
suicide risk level (i.e., L-Suicide, M-Suicide, or H-Suicide).
2. Low-risk(L-Suicide) inmates shall be monitored at least monthly by
mental health staff and shall be housed with other inmates or, if they
cannot be housed with other inmates, in housing where they can be
frequently monitored by correctional staff.
3. Moderate-risk (M-Suicide) inmates shall be monitored at least
weekly by mental health staff and shall be housed with other
inmates unless they pose a safety and security threat to other
inmates. Moderate-risk inmates shall be housed in locations that
allow custody staff to observe and communicate with these inmates
on a daily basis.
4. High-risk (H-Suicide) inmates shall be monitored at least every
twenty-four (24) hours by mental health staff.
5. Inmates who are determined to be "low low-risk" do not require
follow-up (unless determined necessary based on a subsequent
assessment).
E. If an inmate is at moderate risk of attempting self-injurious behavior, but
is not in immediate danger, a mental health clinician may recommend
that the inmate be placed on Suicide PrecautionPno sharps."
1. The clinician will also complete a Crisis Management Plan that
documents their recommendation, and indicates the possessions
and clothing items that should be removed or kept.
2. The clinician will be responsible to create an Alert ("Restriction -
Mental Health") in Offendertrak.
F. Sentenced inmates who have been identified as a moderate or high
level of suicide risk shall receive an evaluation by a mental health
clinician prior to their release. (Refer to Section XV/Continuity of Care
for the complete/detailed requirement.)
IX. SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS or SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI)
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TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NO: G-130
FILE: MENTAL HEALTH
Serious mental illness is defined as any mental disorder that results in
comparatively severe impairment in major areas of functioning, such as
cognitive capabilities or disruption in normal developmental processes and
requires significant mental health treatment. The term is synonymous with
"severe mental illness."
A. Mental health staff shall create an "SMI" Alert in Offendtrak for all SMI
inmates.
B. Mental health staff, with the assistance of correctional staff, shall
develop and implement Behavior Management Plans for inmates with
serious mental illness who engage in repeated acts of misconduct with
the goal of reducing their placements, or shortening the length of time
they spend in lockdown administrative segregation housing.
1. Correctional staff assigned to Population Management who are
familiar with the housing of inmates with serious mental illness shall
be included in administrative meetingswhere Behavior Management
Plans are developed and reviewed.
2. Behavior Management Plan forms shall be scanned into the Inmate
Management Plans folder (G/RefMat/Custody/Inmate Management
Plans) by the designated Population Management Sergeant.
C. SMI inmates may be assigned to all levels of classification. Population
Management works in conjunction with mental health staff to assess the
best housing environment that will aid the SMI inmate in maintaining
optimum mental health without compromising the safety and security of
other inmates and jail staff.
D. Inmates with serious mental illness are not housed in any locked down
administrative segregation or discipline housing unit in the jail system
unless those inmates demonstrate a current threat to jail security,
inmate and/or officer safety, as documented by correctional staff, that
prevents them from being safely housed in less restrictive locations.
E. In the event any SMI inmate must be housed in a locked down
administrative segregation or discipline housing unit, correctional and
mental health staff shall ensure those inmates are offered mental health
treatments three (3) times per week.
1. SMI inmates who are housed in any lockdown cell for more than 48
hours are to have their cases reviewed by a multidisciplinary team
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FILE: MENTAL HEALTH
consisting of corrections and mental health staff every two (2)
weeks. Decisions for an individual's continued housing in a single
cell includes input from a licensed mental health clinician.
2. Out-of-cell structured behavioral health services for SMI inmates
housed in any lockdown cell will be offered:
a. A minimum of three (3) out-of-cell mental health contacts per
week consisting of structured individual or group therapeutic/
educational treatment and programming, each lasting
approximately one (1) hour with appropriate duration to be
determined by a mental health clinician (or inmate, if the inmate
ends the session before the hour is up).
b. At a minimum, one (1)one-to-one structured therapeutic contact
session will be offered by a mental health clinician. The
remaining two (2) contacts per week may either be additional
one-to-one structured therapeutic contacts or group therapeutic/
educational contact sessions.
F. Mental health contacts shall be documented indicating type and
duration of activity.
G. The Sheriff's Office shall review the status of inmates with serious
mental illness housed in administrative segregation lockdown cells at
least once every 30 days to determine if the inmate can be moved to
less restrictive housing. Jail mental health staff shall assess SMI
inmates' housing requirements, which shall be discussed at monthly
administrative meetings with custody and health care staff.
H. Sentenced SMI inmates will receive discharge planning from health
care staff(i.e., an LMFT or RN) prior to their release to the community.
(Refer to Section XV/Continuity of Care.)
X. SAFETY CELLS
A. A mental health opinion/consultation with responsible health care staff
on placement and retention shall be secured within two (2) hours of
placement in a safety cell to determine the inmate's need for mental
health services and suitability for retention in the safety cell. This
evaluation may be performed by any qualified, licensed health care
staff. Licensed mental health staff will evaluate the inmate and perform
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TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NO: G-130
FILE: MENTAL HEALTH
a clinical assessment within the first twelve (12) hours of placement.
(Refer to policy D-210/Safety Cell [FILE: SAFETY CELL].)
B. Mental health clinicians shall complete a comprehensive suicide risk
assessment form for all inmates who display signs of suicide risk to
determine if the inmate presents a low, moderate, or high risk of suicide.
This assessmentwill be indicated on the Crisis Management Plan form.
The clinician will be responsible to create a corresponding Alert in
Offendertrak.
C. The inmate must be reviewed for continued retention in the safety cell a
minimum of every four (4) hours by the on-duty Watch Commander.
However, nothing shall preclude correctional, medical, or mental health
staff from recommending removal prior to that time.
D. Whenever health care staff members wish to recommend either the
placement of an inmate into a safety cell, or the removal of an inmate
from a safety cell, they shall contact the Watch Commander. Health
care staff utilize Crisis Management Plan forms (commonly referred to
as "Restriction forms") to document inmate safety cell placement and
removal and to indicate their recommendation that an inmate be placed
on any restrictions (e.g., "no sharps").
1. The Crisis Management Plan form is submitted to the Watch
Commander for approval and signature. The Watch Commanderwill
then approve or deny safety cell placement, removal, or restrictions,
and ensure all subsequent custody notifications are made.
2. The signed form is delivered to Population Management staff by the
health care staff member.
E. Whenever an inmate's placement in a safety cell is to exceed thirty-six
(36) hours, mental health staff shall submit written justification (i.e., a
Crisis Management Plan)to the Watch Commander,to recommend one
of the following actions:
1. The reasonable extension and temporary continuance of the safety
cell housing.
2. Discontinuance of the safety cell placement, and/or:
a. Evaluate for a transfer to a medical or behavioral health facility
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TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NO: G-130
FILE: MENTAL HEALTH
for 72-hour treatment and evaluation pursuant to Section 5150 of
the Welfare and Institutions Code.
b. Recommend direct supervision (managed within the Jail facility).
F. Any confinement lasting more than thirty-six (36) hours shall require the
written approval of a Bureau Commander or their designee. No inmate
shall remain in a safety cell for more than forty-eight (48) continuous
hours.
G. Within twenty-four (24) hours of safety cell removal, the inmate will be
evaluated by mental health staff. The evaluation will be documented via
a "24-hr Safety Cell Follow Up" event in Offendertrak. The inmate will
receive subsequent mental health evaluations at designated intervals
(e.g., 7-days, 14-days, etc.). All events will be documented via the
appropriate entries in Offendertrak(e.g., 7-Day Safety Cell Follow Up,"
"14-Day Safety Cell Follow Up," etc.).
XI. INDIVIDUAL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PLANS
A. For each inmate treated for mental health conditions, custody staff shall
be informed of the treatment plan when necessary, to ensure
coordination and cooperation in the ongoing care of the inmate. This
treatment plan shall include referral to treatment after release from the
facility when recommended by mental health staff. [Refer to Section
XV/Continuity of Care.]
B. All Behavior Management Plans are scanned into the Inmate
Management Plans folder in the G-drive (G/RefMat/Custody/Inmate
Management Plans) by a designated Population Management
Sergeant. Crisis Management Plans are also accessible in the Inmate
Management Plans folder.
C. The Watch Commander will ensure that an email is sent to all
Sergeants and Lieutenants, notifying them of any newly effected plan.
The affected Facility Sergeant is responsible to:
1. Print all newly enacted Crisis Management Plans, Behavior
Management Plans, and Administrative Action Reports, as
applicable. Copies of all current/applicable forms are placed into the
"Inmate Management Plan" binder located in the security station of
the affected housing floor. The only exception is the South Annex
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2D housing unit, where the plans are immediately accessible outside
of each individual cell door.
2. Ensure the affected housing floor officers are notified and aware of
any newly effected inmate management plans.
3. Purge the binder of expired forms, as necessary.
XII. TRANSFER TO A MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FACILITY
A. A mentally disordered inmate who appears to be a danger to himself or
others, or to be gravely disabled, and is unable to be cared for
adequately within the jail facilities, shall be transferred to an off-site
Lanterman Petris Short treatment facility (e.g., Exodus) for diagnosis
and treatment of such apparent mental disorder pursuant to Penal Code
4011.6, Penal Code 4011.8, and/or Welfare & Institutions Code 5150.
B. In the event an inmate is housed off-site, but remains in custody, the
mental health lead clinician/supervisor will have regular communication
with the off-site care provider to assess the inmate's status and ensure
continuity of care upon return to the jail facility. The mental health lead
clinician/supervisor will also have regular communication with
appropriate custody staff regarding the inmate's status.
XIII. PRIVATE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT
If an inmate desires to be attended by their private physician and/or at a
hospital other than the one normally utilized by the Fresno County Sheriffs
Office Jail Division (i.e., CRMC), they may do so at their own expense.
(Refer to policy G-120/Medical Health Services [FILE: MEDICAL]).
XIV. HEALTH CARE RECORDS
A. A confidential record shall be kept on each inmate assessed by mental
health staff. The record shall include diagnostic studies, individual
treatment plan, and records of services provided by the various mental
health staff members in sufficient detail to make possible an evaluation
of services, and contain all the data necessary in reporting to the State,
including records of inmate interviews and progress notes. Mental
health records shall be kept separate from all other Jail Division and
Sheriffs Office records.
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TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NO: G-130
FILE: MENTAL HEALTH
B. Health care record and health information, both oral and documented, is
confidential protected health information. The minimum necessary
health information is to be disclosed to health care staff providing health
care or to jail authorities when necessary for the protection of the
welfare of the inmate or others, management of the jail, or maintenance
of jail security and order.
C. All health care records must comply with State and Federal regulations
pertaining to access, disclosure, and/or use of health information.
(Refer to policy G-120/Medical Health Services [FILE: MEDICAL].)
XV. CONTINUITY OF CARE
Inmates shall be provided with continuity of care from admission to transfer
or discharge from the facility, including referral to community-based
providers, when indicated.
A. All inmates are provided a Medical Discharge Summary. If the inmate
is receiving medications at the time of release, a seven (7) day supply
of essential medications (including all psychiatric medications) will be
available at a nearby pharmacy. The Medical Discharge Summary
provides details concerning the pharmacy, and additional community
care services available to the inmate.
B. Sentenced inmates who have been identified as a moderate or high
level of suicide risk shall receive an evaluation by a mental health
clinician prior to their release to the community (or treatment program)
for appropriate referrals or initiation of an involuntary psychiatric hold
pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150. The same
services will be provided to unsentenced inmates provided adequate
time is available prior to a legally mandated release. (Refer to policy C-
210/Inmate Release from Custody [FILE: RELEASES].)
C. As appropriate and when necessary, victims of in-custody sexual
assaults shall be referred for continued care following their transfer to,
or placement in, other facilities, or their release from custody.
D. All sentenced SMI inmates shall be provided with discharge planning by
health care staff (i.e., LMFT or RN) prior to their release to the
community. Discharge planning includes connecting such inmates to
community health care providers, community social services,
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TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NO: G-130
FILE: MENTAL HEALTH
community-based housing, and/or appropriate services per the
individual's need. The same services will be provided to unsentenced
SMI inmates provided adequate time is available prior to a legally
mandated release. (Refer to policy C-210/Inmate Release from
Custody [FILE: RELEASES].)
E. Transportation shall be provided, as necessary, in coordination with
outside agencies and applicable community resources for SMI inmates
who are released from custody.
XVI. TRAINING
The training requirements listed below are specific to health care staff
working in a jail environment. Refer also to policy A-310/Minimum Training
Requirements for Correctional Staff Members [FILE: TRAINING].
A. All health care staff shall receive structured orientation and training
specific to providing health services in a correctional setting.
B. All health care staff shall receive training regarding suicide prevention
during new employee orientation, and updated training annually. The
training shall be provided by a licensed clinician having expertise in
correctional suicide prevention and the use of a suicide risk assessment
form.
C. All full- and part-time mental health care staff shall be trained in how to
detect and assess signs, preserve physical evidence, respond
effectively, and report allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse and
sexual harassment.
D. Mock fire drills are conducted by the Jail Division at least twice a yearto
ensure all staff members are familiar with safety procedures and
evacuation methods. Health care staff shall participate in one of the fire
drills at least once each year.
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