BOP Program Statement 6010.06 § 2

Providing health care within a correctional environment presents unique challenges not

encountered by practitioners elsewhere. The Health Services Division’s goal is to provide

medically necessary healthcare services.

On occasion, there may be incompatibility between medical and correctional guidelines;

conflicts related to medical care should be resolved, as far as practical, to meet the inmate's

primary medical needs. At the same time, medical staff must remain committed to the

correctional mission of the institution.

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a. Delegation of Authority. The Director’s authority to provide for the care and treatment of

persons charged or convicted of offenses against the United States has been delegated to the

Assistant Director, Health Services Division (HSD). The Assistant Director, HSD, is the Bureau’s

Health Care Authority and directs and administers all activities related to the physical and

psychiatric care of inmates, the Bureau’s Safety and Occupational Health Program, and Food

Services.

The Assistant Director, HSD, has delegated the clinical direction of all activities related to the

physical and psychiatric care of inmates to the Medical Director. The Medical Director is the

final authority for clinical medical health care issues.

The Director delegates to the Regional Directors and Wardens authority to make

recommendations to the appropriate judge regarding the mental competency of inmates. The

Director retains the authority to audit and review any action taken under these delegations.

b. Core Principles. The following core principles support the Health Services Mission Statement:

 Human Value. All inmates have value as human beings and deserve medically necessary

health care.

 Public Safety. Health care for inmates must be delivered within the constraints of

correctional concerns and responsibilities inherent to the Bureau’s overall mission.

 Inmate Rights and Responsibilities. Inmates must understand their right to access

health care as well as their responsibilities to participate in health care in a manner that

ensures maximal benefit from offered services.

 Evidence-Based Care. Standards of care for inmates will employ proven treatment

strategies, generally supported by outcome data.

 Public Health. Inmate health interventions that prevent the spread of contagious diseases

and reduce preventable diseases and injuries are important to public health and are

consistent with the Bureau’s overall mission.

 Fiscal Stewardship. Medical services provided to federal inmates will be obtained in the

most cost-effective manner. Comprehensive contracts for medical services with discounted

rates will be pursued wherever possible.

 Inmates Function. Medically necessary interventions will aim to improve inmates

functioning to a level that facilitates performance of activities of daily living within the

correctional environment.

 Compassionate Care. Clinicians treating inmates will appropriately weigh the risks and

benefits of various medical treatment options and recognize and address the psychosocial

needs of inmates at all points of care to include terminal illnesses and serious medical

conditions.

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