BOP Program Statement 5337.01 § 3

CST is a peer-support team responsible for addressing the needs of staff and their families.

CSTs respond to critical incidents as well as provide support services to enhance wellness. To

achieve this, CST consists of three levels: National CST Coordinator, Regional Correctional

Support Team, and Institution Correctional Support Team.

Regional and Institution CSTs consist of a Team Leader; two Assistant Team Leaders, one for

Peer Support and another for Incident Response; a Chaplain; a Psychologist; a Bureau Battle

Buddy Liaison, and Administrative Assistants/At-Large Members. CSTs must maintain a

minimum complement of 10 members at each institution and, within a complex, 10 members at

each facility (e.g. a complex with 3 institutions must maintain a team of 30). Regional CSTs also

maintain a complement of 10 members selected from various institutions/sites throughout the

Region. All CST members are familiar with the responsibilities listed below.

New CST members cannot assume any other role aside from Administrative Assistant/At-Large

Member until they have completed Basic CST Training. Given the specificity of their

responsibilities during an activation, the Team Leader may not be the CST Chaplain,

Psychologist, or Bureau Battle Buddy Liaison unless there is more than one staff member with

these duties on the team.

a. Team Leader. The Team Leader has overall responsibility for all team activities. They

coordinate monthly training and additional training on the various roles of the CST. During a

protracted incident, the Team Leader is stationed in the Incident Command Post (ICP) and

conveys information from the Family and Staff Support Teams. Ordinarily, to be selected as

Team Leader, an individual must have at least 3 years as a CST member and 1 year as an

Assistant Team Leader.

b. Assistant Team Leader - Peer Support. The Assistant Team Leader for Peer Support is

responsible for staff outreach and support activities. They ensure the CST engages staff and

family members in wellness and resilience activities. They also ensure the team receives training

in areas related to staff support. To be selected as an Assistant Team Leader - Peer Support, an

individual must have at least 2 years as a CST member and completed the Basic CST course.

c. Assistant Team Leader – Incident Response. The Assistant Team Leader for Incident

Response is responsible for outreach and support of staff and their families during a critical

incident. In situations where the On-Scene Support Center (OSSC) has been activated, they are

responsible for the coordination of on-scene support activities. This person relays pertinent

information about staff needs, visitors to the site, released hostages, etc. to the Team Leader in

the ICP. During a protracted critical incident where a Family Support Center (FSC) is activated,

this Assistant Team Leader is responsible for coordinating, staffing, and operating the FSC for

staff families. They ensure the team receives training in areas related to incident response. To

be selected as an Assistant Team Leader - Incident Response, an individual must have at least 2

years as a CST member and completed the Basic CST course.

P5337.01 4/4/2023 3

d. Administrative Assistant/At-Large Member. The Administrative Assistants/At-Large

Members is responsible for supporting the team’s mission. These duties include direct contact

with staff and their families, as well as clerical responsibilities. Specific duties are assigned by

the Team Leader and/or Assistant Team Leaders.

e. Psychologist. The Psychologist provides input regarding the current state of staff morale and

resilience. During a critical incident, the Psychologist is responsible for routinely assessing the

level of trauma associated with the incident and advising the Team Leader on the types of

services that should be provided to minimize the effects of the trauma. This person provides

referrals to staff and their families to support wellness and resilience. They also monitor the

wellness of the CST and work with the Team Leader to ensure the overall health of the team.

f. Chaplain. The Chaplain is responsible for routinely assessing the spiritual needs associated

with a critical incident and advising the Team Leader on the types of spiritual services that

should be provided. This person conducts, or assists Team Leaders in, emergency notifications,

coordinates religious services, provides on-scene support, and provides spiritual support to the

staff and their families.

g. Bureau Battle Buddy Liaison. The team’s Bureau Battle Buddy Liaison is responsible for

providing input regarding outreach and support needs of staff veterans. He/she routinely

assesses the needs of veterans and their families during a critical incident. During an activation,

the Battle Buddy Liaison communicates with the Team Leader to determine and coordinate

resources needed by staff veterans and their families.