BOP Program Statement 5335.02 § 18

a. Activation Training. All staff who work at institutions with SMHUs are required to

complete four hours of initial training with Psychology Services prior to or immediately after

SMHU activation. Any institution with an SMHU that has not yet completed this initial training

must offer this activation training within one year of the issuance of this program statement. This

training will be offered once per year thereafter in order to train any and all new and transferred

staff. This training should include specific topics to build skills needed to work in an SMHU to

include suicide prevention, psychopathology, de-escalation techniques, and/or correctional

communication skills for inmates with SMIs. De-escalation training will address safe and secure

management of misconduct, including violence, for inmates with SMI. Documentation of this

training will be maintained by Psychology Services.

b. Training for Mental Health Providers. PSB will offer training to institution Psychology

Services staff during the activation of an SMHU. PSB will offer trainings about treating and

managing inmates with an SMI on at least a yearly basis for institution psychologists. PSB and

institution administrators will support mental health clinicians in attending trainings, within

budget constraints. Documentation of this training will be maintained by the PSB.

c. Training for Health Services. Psychology Services will invite the Health Services staff who

work at an institution to attend Psychology Services training webinars about treating and

managing inmates with an SMI. Central Office, Health Services Division, will provide at least

5335.02 3/19/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 25

annual training to psychiatric providers about emergency, involuntary, and voluntary

administration of psychiatric medication to include training on Sell v. United States and

Washington v. Harper decisions and implications. Institution Health Services Administrators will

support training for healthcare professionals as continuing professional education (CPE) funding

allows per Program Statement Health Services Administration. Documentation of these

trainings will be maintained by the division responsible for conducting the training.

d. Training for Correctional Services. Semi-annually, Psychology Services Departments will

collaborate with Correctional Services, Health Services, and Unit Management to provide

training for all Correctional Officers and Lieutenants assigned to the SMHU. Training topics

may include suicide prevention, psychopathology, strategies for managing particular inmates,

problem-solving procedural difficulties, hunger strikes, involuntary feeding, and involuntary

medication administration techniques, or correctional communication skills.

e. Training for Unit Management. Unit Management staff assigned to the SMHU, or Unit

Management staff whose duties include the SMHU, will be offered semi-annual training with

Correctional Services. Unit Management staff are encouraged to be involved in presenting

information during semi-annual training.