BOP Program Statement 5310.16 § 7

Due to their potential vulnerability in a correctional setting, inmates with mental illness may

PS5310.16 05/01/2014 13

require special accommodation in areas such as housing, discipline, work, education,

designations, transfers, and reentry to ensure their optimal functioning. The Bureau uses a team

approach to ensure the needs of inmates with mental illness are identified and addressed.

The institution Care Coordination and Reentry (CCARE) Team is a multidisciplinary team that

uses a holistic approach to ensure critical aspects of care for inmates with mental illness are

considered and integrated. It is a required component at all CARE2- MH, CARE3-MH, and

CARE4-MH institutions. It is not required at pretrial facilities or Federal Transfer Centers.

The CCARE Team identifies potential concerns affecting inmates with mental illness in a

correctional environment, such as:

■ Mental health symptoms that are unreported or unidentified by the inmate.

■ Housing problems or cellmate conflicts.

■ Work and/or leisure time deficits.

■ Criminal thinking and behavior.

■ Bullying or abuse by other inmates.

■ Escalating patterns of destructive or dangerous behavior.

The CCARE Team also identifies strategies and supports to mitigate potentially negative

interactions between inmates with mental illness and the correctional environment, such as:

■ Positive reinforcers for behavior consistent with treatment goals.

■ Social supports (cellmates, positive staff relationships, spiritual community, mental health

companion program).

■ Housing accommodations.

■ Meaningful ways to spend time (work, supported employment, recreation, drop-in group).

The CCARE team considers how these strategies and supports might be applied to improve

functioning and enhance opportunities for recovery. Meetings are ordinarily held no less than

once a month and may be held in conjunction with the SHU Meeting.

Every CARE4-MH inmate is reviewed by the team at least quarterly. Every CARE3 -MH

inmate is reviewed by the team as needed and at least semi-annually. CARE2- MH inmates are

reviewed by the team as needed and at least annually. If an inmate participates in a residential

PTP, his/her case may be staffed in that setting at the discretion of the Mental Health Treatment

Coordinator.

At a minimum the CCARE Team includes:

■ Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (CCARE Team co-leader).

■ Provider of psychiatric services (CCARE Team co-leader).

■ Treating psychologist.

■ Institution Social Worker (if applicable).

■ Pharmacist.

In addition, the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator invites the following staff, and others as

deemed appropriate, to attend CCARE Team meetings:

■ Clinical Director. Clinical Directors are strongly encouraged to attend, particularly at

CARE4-MH facilities.

■ Supervisor of Recreation.

■ Applicable unit managers.

■ Correctional Services Supervisor.

■ Supervisory Chaplain.

The following staff serve on the CCARE Team in special circumstances, as detailed below:

■ Regional Social Workers and Community Treatment Services (CTS) staff are required to

attend only when reentry needs are being discussed. They may attend via video or

teleconference.

■ The Disciplinary Hearing Officer (DHO) may attend if a mentally ill inmate is facing serious

disciplinary action.

■ Depending on the focus of the meeting, other staff may be invited, such as work supervisors

or teachers.

In Psychiatric Referral Centers team composition may vary. However, the team model is used.