Each unit commander shall develop and implement an inmate psychiatric visiting policy to facilitate psychiatric interviews and testing pursuant to a court order. Suitable space shall be designated for psychiatric interviews and testing by court appointed psychiatrists. Court-ordered psychiatrists shall be permitted access, including face-to-face visits, to inmates for professional consultation in all Custody Division facilities.
A list of "court-ordered" psychiatrists shall be maintained in facility control. This list includes psychiatrists assigned by the courts to facilitate the mental health needs of the inmates. Psychiatrists allowed entry into a facility are pre-screened and approved by the court pursuant to Evidence Code, section 730, "Appointment by court of expert; Construction regarding requirement of license," prior to inclusion on the list. The psychiatrist's name must be on the current list and he must be in possession of, and present, the valid court order, a current picture identification, and medical/psychiatric identification at the time of the visit. Most court-ordered psychiatric visits occur during normal business hours or stated facility visiting hours. However, psychiatric visits are not restricted or limited to posted inmate visiting hours. Unusual hour requests for visits shall be by pre-arranged appointment and approved by the watch commander.
"One-time" or specially ordered visits by psychiatrists not on the court-ordered list may be conducted pursuant to court order. At the time of entry, the psychiatrist must present the court order, picture identification, and medical/psychiatric identification. Court ordered psychiatric visits are conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis depending on the number of psychiatric visits processed at each facility.
The inmate's name, booking number, and the court order number shall be recorded on the Court Order Tracking Log and the Facility Log.