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Custody Division Manual / Volume 5 - Line Procedures

5-04/010.00 Psychiatric and Psychological Services


5-04/005.00 Telemental Health Services
5-04/010.05 Involuntary Medication Administration

The Correctional Health Services (CHS) mental health staff provide psychiatric and psychological services to inmates housed within the County jail system.

Mental health programs administered in the Custody Services Divisions' facilities consist of a Forensic Inpatient Program and a Men's and Women's Forensic Outpatient Program. The staff includes social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health counselors, registered nurses, psychiatric technicians, community workers, recreational therapists, and various support staff who ensure the delivery of appropriate mental health services.

Mental health services are available to all inmates upon request or by referral:

  • At the time of booking or during the intake process, as documented in the Arrestee Medical Screening Form (SH-R-422) and the Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral report (BOMHR) (refer to Custody Division Manual [CDM] sections 4-05/000.00, "Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral" and 4-05/005.00, "Electronic Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral Report [e-BOMHR]")
  • Through the healthcare assessment and screening by CHS staff
  • After assignment to a housing area, by a Jail Mental Health Evaluation Team's (JMET) assessment and referral (refer to CDM section 7-02/030.00, "Jail Mental Health Evaluation Team [JMET]")
  • Through the submission of a Health Services Request Form
  • By custody staff's observation and completion of the BOMHR.

In addition, on-call mental health clinicians in each custody facility may be contacted via handheld radio broadcast or a designated phone number. Unit commanders shall ensure applicable unit orders delineate procedures for the contacting of on-call mental health clinicians, or the appropriate CHS office.

In the event of an on-call clinician unavailability in a custody facility, personnel may contact the Medical Command Center (MCC), which will facilitate communication with CHS mental health staff, and/or coordinate telephonic consultations.