Sec. 18-96a. Consideration of psychiatrist diagnosis in assessment of and providing mental health services to inmate with a mental illness. Mental health issues training for custodial staff. Agency co
Sec. 18-96a. Consideration of psychiatrist diagnosis in assessment of and providing mental health services to inmate with a mental illness. Mental health issues
training for custodial staff. Agency collaboration re assistance to inmate with a
mental illness upon release. Report re mental health services. (a) When assessing and
subsequently providing mental health services to any inmate confined in a correctional
facility of the Department of Correction who has been diagnosed with a mental illness
by a psychiatrist licensed pursuant to chapter 370, and such psychiatrist has informed
the department that such inmate is currently diagnosed by such psychiatrist to be a
danger to himself or herself or others, the department shall consider the diagnosis of
such psychiatrist in order to appropriately assess such inmate and provide individualized,
clinically appropriate and culturally competent mental health services to treat such inmate's condition.
(b) (1) The Department of Correction shall, within available appropriations, develop a program for custodial staff members to receive not less than four hours and not
more than eight hours of training on mental health issues each year. Such training shall
consist of classroom instruction and written materials provided by a qualified mental
health professional in conjunction with a training academy accredited by the American
Correctional Association, and shall include, at a minimum: (A) Prevention of suicide
and self-injury; (B) recognition of signs of mental illness; (C) communication skills for
interacting with inmates with mental illness; and (D) alternatives to disciplinary action
and the use of force when dealing with inmates with mental illness. Such program shall
be offered: (i) Commencing on July 1, 2009, to all custodial staff members at one or
more correctional facilities designated by the Commissioner of Correction; (ii) on and
after July 1, 2010, to all custodial staff members at one or more additional correctional
facilities designated by the commissioner; and (iii) on and after July 1, 2011, to all
custodial staff members at one or more additional correctional facilities designated by
the commissioner. Such program shall terminate on July 1, 2012.
(2) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, all custodial
staff members at each correctional facility of the Department of Correction in which
female inmates are confined may, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and within
available appropriations, receive not less than four hours and not more than eight hours
of training on mental health issues, including gender-specific and trauma-related mental
health issues faced by female inmates.
(c) Before the planned release of any inmate diagnosed with a mental illness as
provided in subsection (a) of this section from a correctional facility, the Department
of Correction shall collaborate with the Judicial Department, the Department of Social
Services and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, as deemed necessary and within available appropriations, to assist such inmate in obtaining housing,
mental health treatment services, any public benefits for which the inmate is eligible
and employment counseling upon the inmate's release.
(d) On February first of each year, the Commissioner of Correction shall submit a
report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of
matters relating to the judiciary, public health and appropriations and the budgets of
state agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. Such report shall set
forth (1) the number of inmates who have been determined to require mental health
services during the previous calendar year, and (2) a description of program services
provided by the Department of Correction and, if applicable, its contracted health services provider.
(P.A. 07-216, S. 1.)