BOP Program Statement 5217.02 § 6

SMUs consist of three program levels, differentiated by the conditions of confinement and

expected time frames for completion, as described below. Completion of all levels is expected

within 9 to 13 months.

Level Expected Level Completion Time SMU Reviews

Initially within 28 days, no less than

One 6-8 Months

every90 days

fdfDays

Two 2-3 Months

No less than every 90 days

Three 1-2 Months

Inmates currently housed in the SMU as of August 9, 2016, or prior to the effective date of this

policy will be individually assessed using form BP-A0949, Special Management Review Report,

to determine their level in the SMU Program according to the provisions of this Program

Statement. The inmate’s ability to maintain clear conduct, successful participation in SMU

programming, and efforts at positive interaction with staff and other inmates will be considered

in making these assessments. For inmates currently housed in the SMU as of August 9, 2016, or

prior to the effective date of this policy, their time in the SMU may be more than 24 consecutive

months depending on their level in the SMU program.

a. Level One

Inmate Interaction. At this level, interaction between inmates is minimal (for example, shower,

recreation, programming). Inmates will normally be restricted to their assigned cells.

Admission and Orientation. Inmates will participate in an institution and unit admission and

orientation (A&O) program, as outlined in the Program Statement Admission and Orientation

Program. The goal of the SMU A&O program is to provide inmates with information regarding

institution operations, program availability, and the requirements for successful progression

through each of the three levels of the program. A&O may be conducted through in-cell

programming, using radio programs or other available technology.

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Programming. Initial programming assessment will occur within the first 28 days of an inmate’s

arrival at the SMU. Institution and SMU staff interact with each inmate on an individual basis to:

■ Assess the inmate’s program and counseling needs.

■ Discuss SMU program objectives/expectations.

■ Establish a set of program goals based on the inmate’s individual needs and the programming

available within the unit.

■ Communicate requirements of the SMU program, including the expectations the inmate must

meet before he/she will be considered for a general population institution.

Inmates will continue their involvement in GED or ESL, either individually or in a classroom

setting. Initially during this level, inmates may be involved in programs on a self-study basis.

Property. Inmates will have limited personal property, as determined by the Warden through the

Institution Supplement.

Level Progression. Progression through Level One is based upon the inmate’s compliance with

behavioral expectations, as established by institution and SMU staff. A multidiscipline Special

Management Review will be conducted by the Unit Manager, Captain, and Associate Warden

(chairperson)(or his/her acting). This review will include input from the SMU unit team,

correctional staff, psychology staff, education staff, and other appropriate staff to determine the

inmate’s readiness to progress to the next level. Review of the inmate will be documented on

form BP-A0949, Special Management Review Report, along with any accompanying

memoranda from any member referred to above, and will be filed in Section 2 of the inmate’s

Central File. After the initial programming assessment, Level One inmates will be reviewed at

least every 90 days.

Inmates are expected to progress to Level Two after 6-8 months.

a. Level Two

Inmate Interaction. At this level, interaction between inmates expands (for example, shower,

recreation, programming). Inmates will normally be restricted to their assigned cells, but out-of-

cell activities/programming may be increased on a case-by-case basis.

Programming. Inmates may continue their involvement in GED or ESL either individually or in

a classroom setting. Psychology staff will have frequent contact with inmates on the living unit

to promote the development of effective coping strategies and to assist inmates in adjusting to

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the institution environment. Psychology staff may provide in-cell materials that support the

program’s goals of responsible behavior and effective communication.

During this level, inmates may be involved in Evidence Based Therapy (EBT) groups. Individual

and/or small group counseling sessions dealing specifically with treatment readiness, fundamental

communication skills, criminal thinking, and improving coping/problem-solving skills may be

required. Staff monitor which inmates participate in group activities. All program activities

should reinforce the goal of acting responsibly. Curriculum at this level targets “treatment

readiness skills” (e.g., basic empathy, attending, responding, respect, genuineness), basic

cognitive skills, and criminal thinking. Small group counseling sessions may be conducted.

Property. At this level, inmates may have additional personal property, based on individual

performance as determined by the Institution Supplement.

Level Progression. Progression through this level is based upon the inmate demonstrating the

potential for positive “community” interaction. During Level Two, inmates generally program

and function separately. Progression to Level Three, however, requires that the inmate

demonstrate the ability to program with other individuals, groups, or gangs; the inmate’s

willingness/unwillingness to coexist with individuals, groups, or gangs must be documented via a

memorandum to the file. Accordingly, the multidiscipline Special Management Unit Review

prior to Level Three consideration must address CIM assignments in detail. This memorandum

may also be used as rationale in any subsequent CIM declassification request. Review of the

inmate will be documented on form BP-A0949, Special Management Review Report, along with

any accompanying memoranda from any member referred to above, and filed in Section 2 of the

inmate’s Central File. Level Two inmates are reviewed at least every 90 days. Inmates are

expected to progress to Level Three after two to three months. Inmates who fail to make

satisfactory progress may be returned to a previous level.

b. Level Three

Inmate Interaction. Inmates at this level will begin to interact in an open, but supervised,

setting with individuals from various groups, including open movement in the unit and frequent

group counseling sessions commensurate with the inmate’s demonstrated ability to effectively

coexist with other inmates. Staff monitor which inmates may be housed or participate in

activities together, as necessary to protect the safety, security, and good order of the institution.

There will also be increased privileges (e.g., increased commissary, property, etc.) at this level for

those who accomplish unit goals and maintain appropriate conduct.

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Programming. Activities at this level will intensify, with more interaction in a less restrictive

environment. Inmates continue to participate in counseling programs as outlined in Level Two.

Programming in this level will normally occur 3-5 hours Monday through Friday.

Psychology staff continue to have frequent contact with inmates on the living unit. In addition,

Psychology Services staff offer counseling groups that allow participants to learn and practice

effective skills. The focus and emphasis of SMU program counseling activities will be to

minimize the tendency of SMU inmates to involve themselves in disruptive behavior.

Counseling will focus on encouraging inmates to find ways in which they can program

appropriately with other inmates in a general population setting and behave responsibly.

Counseling will be evidence-based and involve cognitive-behavioral programming, , and

emphasize responsibility and accountability. First and foremost, the inmates must be taught to

look toward the future, as the decisions they are making affect their families and their ability to

prepare themselves for eventual reentry to society.

Property. At this level, inmate access to personal property may be incrementally increased from

Level Two based on individual performance. Inmates may be considered for the same personal

property privileges as general population inmates.

Level Progression. Progression through this level is based upon the inmate’s ability to

demonstrate positive “community” interaction skills. The inmate’s successful progression

through this phase will indicate he/she is prepared to function in a general population.

Normally, inmates who successfully complete the SMU program are redesignated to the general

population of another facility. In some situations, however, the SMU unit team may recommend

that the SMU graduate be assigned to the general population of that facility. In some cases,

inmates who successfully complete the SMU program may not be appropriate for general

population in another facility. Staff assess each case independently to ensure an appropriate

designation. Review of the inmate is documented on BP-A0949, Special Management Review

Report, along with any accompanying memoranda from any member referred to above, and filed

in Section 2 of the inmate’s Central File.

Inmates who fail to make appropriate levels of program participation may be returned to a

previous level.