BOP Program Statement 5240.01 § 3

The FIT Program is a joint program of the Women and Special Populations (WASP) and

Psychology Services Branches. These offices meet at least quarterly to discuss operational

issues and any modifications needed based on the evolving treatment literature.

FIT Programs are located at institutions selected by the Reentry Services Division and

approved by agency Executive Staff. All inmates at a designated FIT unit will have a current

FIT assignment in SENTRY.

a. Central Office

(1) The Reentry Service Division, Women and Special Populations (WASP) Branch is

the agency’s primary resource on classification, management, and practices for females.

(2) The Reentry Services Division, Psychology Services Branch (PSB) provides clinical

oversight and consultation regarding institution treatment and care of female inmates in FIT

programs. In addition, all referrals into and removals from the program will be overseen by

this Branch.

b. Institutions

The FIT Program is staffed with the following personnel:

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■ FIT Coordinator

■ Drug Abuse Program Coordinator (DAPC)

■ FIT Psychologists

■ FIT Treatment Specialists

■ Vocational Instructor.

Staffing requirements are based on population size. Both WASP and PSB will advise the

Warden as to minimum staffing levels to assure that treatment of inmates is continually

delivered as required for the success of the program.

With regard to treatment delivery, treatment specialists will always maintain a caseload of 1:24

participants, and no more than 40 inmates may be assigned to a psychologist as part of program

delivery. Any inmate living on the FIT unit who is not actively participating in treatment must

be waiting for admission into the program or must have completed the program.

Each institution with a FIT program receives an additional vocational instructor at the time of

program implementation to provide technical training addressing the career and reentry needs

of participants.

In addition, all staff working at facilities or units providing FIT play a role in this program and

may provide ancillary program services with the approval of the FIT Coordinator. Staff with

specific roles related to the FIT Program are listed below:

(1) Warden. Each Warden is responsible for the appropriate management of inmates with

mental illness in his/her institution. He/she will work with the FIT Coordinator to ensure

that all staff are educated about the program and staff roles within the program. The

Warden will ensure sufficient programming space is made available to the FIT Program

and facilitate coordination between FIT Program staff and other involved departments (e.g.,

Unit Team, Education, Recreation, etc.).

(2) Chief Psychologist. The Chief Psychologist will supervise the FIT Coordinator.

She/he will monitor program benchmarks, program culture, and program effectiveness.

The Chief Psychologist will communicate the mission of the FIT Program to other

department heads and work with the Warden in support of staffing for the program.

(3) FIT Coordinator. The FIT Coordinator oversees all program activities. He/she will assist

the Warden to recruit and fill staff positions and approve any local materials related to the

program in consultation with the Psychology Services Branch. The FIT Coordinator is

responsible for clinical supervision of all FIT psychology treatment staff. Supervision is

conducted no less than one time per month and must be documented. Clinical supervision

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focuses on the development of the staff member as an interpersonally effective clinician.

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

supervisor in actual processes, and feedback. On occasion, clinical supervision may be offered

in a group setting, such as a treatment team meeting. The FIT Coordinator is responsible for

removing inmates from the unit due to disruptive or unsatisfactory progress in treatment. The

FIT Coordinator is responsible for training staff on the mission of the program.

(4) Drug Abuse Program Coordinator (DAPC). The DAPC oversees the Residential Drug

Abuse Program (RDAP) component of FIT, including making the determination for inmate

qualification to RDAP by confirming or denying a diagnosis based on offender self-report and

appropriate collateral documentation. The DAPC provides clinical supervision to the FIT

Treatment Specialists.

(5) FIT Psychologists. FIT Psychologists provide both group and individual treatment for

substance use disorders, trauma, and mental illness. They function as the primary providers of

routine and crisis mental health services for inmates in FIT housing during regular work hours.

FIT Psychologists conduct psychological and/or career testing as necessary.

(6) FIT Treatment Specialists. FIT Treatment Specialists provide both group and

individual services related to the program. These services may include, but are not limited to,

attending community meetings, conducting psychosocial interviews, managing a caseload,

organizing and guiding independent inmate and community activities, and completing

required documentation.

(7) Special Populations Coordinator. The Special Populations Coordinator provides gender-responsive programs and offers individualized release planning at the request of the FIT

Coordinator. These individuals may provide group services from the First Step Act Approved

Programs Guide, located on the agency intranet, at the request of the FIT Coordinator; they do

not deliver core FIT group services delivered by FIT Treatment Specialists.

Correctional Services. Correctional Officers assigned to the unit are provided training by the

FIT Program Coordinator prior to the start of the quarter. The training includes information on

gender responsive principles, trauma informed care, mental illness, substance use disorders,

modified therapeutic communities, program expectations, and program goals. Such knowledge

and training can ensure that in supervising inmates, Correctional Services staff also enhance the

success of the program by encouraging and promoting inmate change.