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CRDF Unit Orders / Volume 5-Line Procedures

5-08-018 Mental Health Observation Housing (HOH): Allowable Property


5-21-30 Education Based Incarceration
5-23-040 Inmate Orientation

PURPOSE OF ORDER:

The purpose of this order is to establish a procedure for determining allowable property for mental health inmates housed in high observation housing (HOH) units.

SCOPE OF ORDER:

This order shall apply to all personnel assigned to or working in any capacity at the Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF).

ORDER:

When determining allowable inmate property for inmates housed in HOH, special consideration shall be made to ensure the ongoing safety of each inmate and the security of custody personnel. Each inmate’s level of care may vary, and as a result, the Department of Mental Health Personnel (DMH) shall be tasked with assessing and determining what items listed below may be safely issued to inmates housed in HOH. All considerations shall be made on a case-by-case basis. Those items which have been deemed inappropriate for a specific inmate shall be documented in the inmates Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and listed on a door sign provided by a mental health clinician. The door sign shall follow the inmate until she is reclassified.

  •  Pencils (only for inmates participating in the "Step-Down" Program)
  •  Nightgowns
  •  Disposable underwear
  •  Caffeine items

Inmates classified with suicide risk precaution protocol SHALL receive a safety gown, a safety blanket, and a mattress. An inmate on suicide risk precaution may have their mattress removed, with the concurrence of a mental health clinician, in such instances that may include, but are not limited to:

  •  Damage to the mattress
  •  Mattress is used to barricade cell door

  •      Mattress used to obstruct the view into the cell

  •  Any other similar action which may be a safety concern for the inmate

A Disciplinary Inmate Report Tracking System (IRTS) report will be written on any inmate placed on risk precaution who demonstrates any of the aforementioned actions. [REDACTED TEXT]

Unless otherwise directed by a mental health clinician, custody personnel will follow DMH’s direction as it relates to allowable inmate items. In the event custody personnel and DMH personnel disagree as to a matter of security, the final decision regarding any security concern is to be made by the facility unit commander after consulting with the DMH Supervisor.

If an inmate is transferred from another housing unit to an HOH unit, their personal property shall be inventoried on a High Observation Mental Health Housing Property Sheet (form 5-08- 018a) and non-allowable items SHALL be stored in the designated HOH storage area. All allowable property will be noted on the inmate’s allowable property door sign, by the attending mental health clinician.

Any conflicts with this policy will be directed to the Access to Care Lieutenants for resolution.