BOP Program Statement 5332.01 § 2

a. Psychology Services Branch (PSB). The Central Office PSB is part of the Reentry Services

Division (RSD), and provides oversight and consultation regarding institution treatment and care

of potentially suicidal inmates through remote reviews of Electronic Health Record (EHR)

documentation; recommendations regarding transfers and designations of potentially suicidal

inmates; and direct consultation with Chief Psychologists, other psychologists, and institution

Executive Staff.

The National Suicide Prevention Coordinator (NSPC), PSB, is the Bureau’s primary source and

point of contact on suicide prevention programs, research, assessment, and intervention. The

NSPC provides oversight for the Bureau’s inmate suicide prevention program, developing

various training modules for staff, including Introduction to Correctional Techniques (ICT), AT,

supplemental suicide prevention training, quarterly SHU training, and materials and training in

support of the clinical development of Bureau psychologists (e.g., remote training, Brief

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide at the National Corrections Academy).

The NSPC directs Psychological Reconstructions of inmate suicides. They develop an annual

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report on the state of suicide prevention in the Bureau and are responsible for developing a

research-based foundation for the Bureau’s suicide prevention program.

b. Wardens. Each Warden is responsible for the appropriate management of potentially

suicidal inmates in their institution. They must ensure Psychology Services is adequately staffed

to meet all expectations of this program statement and the department has adequate time, space,

and material resources to educate staff about detecting and reporting any unusual inmate

behaviors that might suggest suicide risk. If Psychology Services staffing is temporarily too low

to ensure appropriate training and care, Wardens consult with Regional Psychology Services

Administrators to arrange for Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments from PSB and/or coverage

from nearby institutions. In addition, the Warden authorizes the use of Suicide Watch

Companions as appropriate.

c. Institution Chief Psychologists. Each Chief Psychologist ensures the provisions of this

program statement are implemented, including designation of a psychologist to serve as the local

Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator (SPPC). The Chief Psychologist ensures information

about the availability of suicide prevention services is disseminated to inmates during Admission

and Orientation (A&O) using the A&O lesson plan developed by the PSB and communicating

with the inmate population as deemed appropriate via TRULINCS, walking and talking,

impromptu unit meetings, bulletin boards, town hall meetings, etc.

The Chief Psychologist is responsible for ensuring psychological services are provided to

inmates as detailed in the Program Statement Treatment and Care of Inmates with Mental

Illness, and a psychologist is always on call to address emergency referrals that may occur

during non-business hours. When local psychologist coverage cannot be provided (e.g., due to

illness, injury, leave, low staffing), arrangements will be made between the Chief Psychologist,

Regional Psychology Administrator, Associate Warden, and other institutions in the general

vicinity to provide appropriate coverage.

d. § 552.41 Program procedures.

(a) Program Coordinator. Each institution must have a Program Coordinator for the

institution's suicide prevention program.

(b) Training. The Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that appropriate

training is available to staff and to inmates selected as inmate observers.

Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator (SPPC). The SPPC is a licensed doctoral-level

psychologist or a psychologist who is under the supervision of a licensed psychologist who

oversees and implements the Suicide Watch Companion Program and assists with departmental

compliance with suicide prevention-related policy requirements by performing perpetual audits

or other quality assurance activities. The SPPC will maintain expertise in the identification,

assessment, and treatment of individuals who engage in SDV and who may be at risk for suicide.

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The SPPC serves as a resource to provide or consult with other psychologists about the provision

of staff training on suicide prevention.

e. Psychologists. All psychologists are responsible for recognizing and assessing suicide risk,

providing clinical treatment and administrative oversight to inmates on suicide watch, and

implementing mental health interventions to address risk factors for suicide and underlying

mental health conditions. Psychologists are required to document clinical information in the

EHR so the information is readily available for continuity of care. All psychologists are required

to participate in an on-call rotation to address emergency referrals that may occur during non-business hours.

f. Health Services Administrator (HSA). Health Services organizes, conducts, administers,

and maintains responsibility for psychiatric services. In facilities that use contract psychiatric

services, the HSA is responsible for contract development and oversight. In facilities that do not

employ or contract with a Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider, the HSA is

responsible for arranging use of Bureau telepsychiatry services and prioritizing referrals for

inmates at risk for suicide or SDV. The HSA ensures a staff member from Health Services is

assigned to escort contractors and supervise inmates in telepsychiatry appointments. The HSA

ensures that inmates on suicide watch are seen daily by a Health Services provider. The HSA, in

coordination with the Chief Psychologist, ensures regular interdisciplinary communication is

maintained between Psychology Services and Health Services staff, to coordinate care and

reconcile diagnostic differences.

g. Clinical Director. The Clinical Director ensures potentially suicidal inmates receive

appropriate medical and psychiatric assessment and treatment. The Clinical Director ensures

emergency medication is provided consistent with the Program Statement Psychiatric Services

and guidance disseminated by the Bureau’s Medical Director. The Clinical Director also ensures

referrals for psychiatric medication evaluations result in an evaluation for medical need by local

or remote providers.

h. Bureau Staff. All staff members who observe unusual behavior or gather information

indicative of possible suicide risk during normal working hours must report these concerns to

Psychology Services, or to a supervisor (e.g., Lieutenant), immediately either in person or via

live telephonic conversation. During regular normal working hours staff should contact

Psychology Services directly, and if there is no response contact a supervisor. During non-regular working hours staff will contact a supervisor (e.g., Lieutenant) who will consult with the

on-call psychologist. Electronic mail and voicemail messages are never an acceptable mode of

communication regarding inmate suicide risk. Any staff member may arrange, through the shift

Lieutenant, to initiate a suicide watch pending a formal Suicide Risk Assessment (SRA) by a

psychologist.

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