BOP Program Statement 5218.01 § 6

Duties of RU Psychologists. The RU Psychologist works under the direct supervision of the

Chief Psychologist. The RU Psychologist oversees a variety of treatment opportunities and

interventions for inmates in the RU. The RU Psychologist works with Unit Management staff to

review and consider the need for an inmate to remain in a RU or recommend alternate placement.

The RU Psychologist is the primary provider of diagnostic and mental health assessments within

the unit. The RU Psychologist will assess each inmate’s individual mental health needs, goals,

and interests.

The RU Psychologist or designee facilitates annual training for all institution staff. This training

will focus on practical RU information and relevant evidence-based interventions (e.g., trauma

informed care, the risk-need-responsivity model, readiness for change).

The RU Psychologist will chair a monthly RU meeting subsequent to the weekly SHU

multidisciplinary meeting with the Associate Warden of Psychology Services’ oversight. The

meeting will include the Captain, representatives from SIS, and RU Unit Management, as well as

any other relevant staff. The goal of the meeting is to assess RU inmates without validated security

concerns programming progress, safety needs, and willingness to return to general population. The

multidisciplinary team must review redesignation options for these RU inmates every 12 months.

For inmates on the unit for 18 months or more, treatment and safety needs must also be

reevaluated. A detailed plan addressing relevant treatment (e.g., coping skill deficits or medication

management issues) and/or security concerns (e.g., related to Central Inmate Monitoring or STG

status) must also be developed with the goal of the inmate reentering general population within six

months. This plan must also be reviewed monthly and updated as needed to ensure progress

occurs. Initial and updated plans must be submitted to the Psychology Services Branch (PSB)

Mental Health Treatment Coordinator overseeing RUs unless directed otherwise. Any RU inmates

currently in SHU for disciplinary reasons will also be reviewed to determine if RU placement

continues to be warranted or if a transfer is needed.

5218.01 3/19/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 4

The RU Psychologist is responsible for the clinical and administrative supervision of Treatment

Specialists assigned to the unit. Clinical supervision is conducted no less than one time per month

and must be documented. Clinical supervision focuses on the development of the Treatment

Specialist as an interpersonally effective clinician who utilizes evidence-based interventions.

Supervision includes instruction, supervisor modeling, direct observation, intervention by the

supervisor in the actual clinical process, and feedback. Clinical supervision is typically provided

one-on-one but may be offered in a group setting occasionally.

Duties of Treatment Specialists. Treatment Specialists conduct Evidence Based Recidivism

Reduction (EBRR) and Productive Activity (PA) groups, or other treatment protocols identified by

the RU Psychologist with oversight from the Chief Psychologist and approval from the Central

Office PSB. Each Treatment Specialist provides a minimum of 15 clinical contact hours per week.

Groups may vary in frequency, from once or twice a week to daily. Treatment Specialists may

facilitate groups in areas other than the RU.

When necessary, Treatment Specialists conduct individual clinical contacts focusing on increasing

treatment motivation and teaching cognitive behavioral skills to reintegrate from a restrictive

housing setting into a general population unit. Treatment Specialists also routinely meet with

inmates individually to discuss treatment progress and develop or update treatment plans and goals.

All clinical contacts will be documented in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

Treatment Specialists routinely conduct non-clinical contacts to promote problem solving and

facilitate positive interaction with staff. Non-clinical contacts also include discussion of setting and

achieving life goals, and resolution of minor interpersonal problems. Non-clinical contacts do not

always require documentation in the EHR. The RU Psychologist will advise Treatment Specialists

of documentation expectations.

Treatment Specialists organize RU community events, implement the unit schedule, and assist with

the implementation of the incentive opportunities. RU community committees (e.g., Holiday,

Birthday, Wellness, Unit Beautification) are ordinarily overseen by Treatment Specialists.

Treatment Specialists will work closely with Reentry Affairs and Recreation staff to support RU

inmate access to volunteer opportunities and recreation events.

Treatment Specialists maintain an active presence in the RU by conducting rounds throughout the

unit once per duty shift. Treatment Specialists attend inmate program review meetings which are

conducted by Unit Management and held in accordance with Program Statement Unit

Management and Inmate Program Review. Under the direction of the RU Psychologist,

Treatment Specialists may provide Unit Management with recommendations related to inmate

work assignments.

Protocols. All services offered by Psychology Services in the RU will be consistent with

national programming approved through PSB (e.g., EBRR and PA groups, cognitive behavioral

5218.01 3/19/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 5

interventions designed to address skill deficits). Approval for supplemental materials must be

granted by PSB prior to use. Motivational strategies are used to engage inmates in treatment

services (e.g., motivational interviewing, incentives). The RU Psychologist will develop a unit

structure to include group activities and other programming opportunities.

Purpose of Programming. RU Psychologists and Treatment Specialists facilitate programming

opportunities and clinical interventions to assist inmates in learning the skills necessary to

effectively reintegrate to a general population unit, manage mental health symptoms, manage

substance use disorders, and reduce the risk of recidivism. Target areas of clinical intervention are

prosocial thinking and skill building, to include communication, social, behavioral regulation, and

emotional self-regulation skills.

Treatment Planning. Recommendations for participation in psychology programming are

determined by the RU Psychologist with input from the Treatment Specialists. Specific

recommendations for mental health treatment and/or programs will be conveyed to the inmate and

documented in the EHR. The RU Psychologist will consider recommendations provided by Unit

Management that are intended to facilitate positive adjustment to the general population and/or

community. These recommendations are typically communicated during intake screening, inmate

program review meetings, and SHU meetings.

Inmates in RUs vary widely in their need for specific mental health treatment or programming.

The following recommendations may be in addition to identified FSA needs:

■ Inmates with no recommended psychology programs. Often, inmates with validated

security concerns will not have psychology program recommendations, and the focus will be

other programming, work activities, and other goals developed with Unit Management in

accordance with Program Statement Unit Management and Inmate Program Review.

■ Inmates with recommended psychology programs but not requiring an individualized

treatment plan. In some cases, inmates may be recommended for general mental health

groups, EBRR and/or PAs facilitated by Psychology Services. Not all psychology programs

require a treatment plan, therefore, there may be times when an inmate does not have a

treatment plan on record.

■ Inmates with recommended psychology programs and requiring an individualized

treatment plan. The requirement for an individualized treatment plan is determined on a

case-by-case basis by the RU Psychologist. In contrast to Psychology Treatment Programs,

the majority of inmates in RUs do not require individualized treatment plans. Individualized

treatment plans are only required in cases where the inmate demonstrates mental health

issue(s) requiring on-going psychological intervention or demonstrates the need for skill

acquisition across multiple behavioral domains

Inmates declining to volunteer for recommended services will be encouraged to participate by

the Treatment Specialists and Unit Management. Motivational strategies will be used by

5218.01 3/19/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 6

5218.01 3/19/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 7

Treatment Specialists to promote participation among these inmates. Treatment Specialists will

document these efforts in the EHR, which will occur at least once per month.

Inmates who are not recommended for treatment services by the RU Psychologist may volunteer

for psychology programming on the unit, typically PAs, and other activities provided by the RU

Psychologist or Treatment Specialists. These inmates will be given an opportunity to participate

in therapeutic groups when space is available. In some cases, inmates in the RU will decline to

participate in Psychology Services treatment necessary to ensure adequate adjustment in the unit.

In these cases, the RU Psychologist will consult with PSB to discuss management strategies

and/or referral options.