8.5: PA DOCs Substantive Policies

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07.04.01 Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Programs

The purpose of this policy is to establish a standardized method of delivering specialized Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Abuse Treatment Programs to all offenders who are alcohol and drug abusers, found eligible for services under the Department's supervision.

13.02.01 Access to Health Care

This policy establishes procedures by which the Department of Corrections and medical vendor staff can ensure that all inmates have access to health care and provide professional health care services that comply with Department policies and procedures, ACA standards, and applicable laws.

13.8.1, Access to Mental Health Care

Every inmate entering the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections shall be given a psychological assessment conducted at the Diagnostic and Classification Center (DCC). The DCC shall administer basic psychometric testing and interview the inmate upon reception and provide further assessments only for an inmate who evidences a need for more comprehensive evaluation.

Young Offenders

11.2.1, Reception and Classification Procedures Manual

General

The Young Adult Offenders Program (YAOP) is primarily designed for those offenders between the ages of 15-20 adjudicated as adults due to the nature of the criminal offense committed. The YAOP meets their special needs of education, adolescent development and recreational activity, while providing a safe environment for those offenders. All Young Adult Offenders (YAO) between the ages of 15-19 ½ will be classified and transferred to a YAOP (males to SCI Pine Grove; females to SCI Muncy) unless they have a serious psychiatric condition that requires treatment in a more clinical setting (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 2011; Personal Communications Chuck Roberts, Dep. Asst. Administrator & Denise Wood, Records Administrator, February 16, 2012).

Based on an alleged separation, court order, or other needs, a male YAO may be transferred to a facility other than SCI Pine Grove. Assignment of a male YAO to a facility other than SCI Pine Grove shall require approval by the Regional Deputy Secretary. In addition, any transfer of a YAO (for the purpose of these transfers, YAO is defined as anyone under the age of 18) from SCI Pine Grove to another facility shall also require approval by the Regional Deputy Secretary (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 2011; Personal Communications Chuck Roberts, Dep. Asst. Administrator & Denise Wood, Records Administrator, February 16, 2012).

In meeting ethical considerations set forth in policy, law and ACA Standards, the PA DOCS YAOP is run as a Therapeutic Community (TC). A TC is designed to use behavior modification as a primary management tool. YAO’s are encouraged to make life changes in areas of self-responsibility, discipline, respect for others and themselves, and to develop positive self-esteem. The YAO’s positive accomplishments are rewarded and negative or dysfunctional behavior is discouraged(Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 2011; Personal Communications Chuck Roberts, Dep. Asst. Administrator & Denise Wood, Records Administrator, February 16, 2012).

Treatment Programming

The PA DOCS YAO inmate’s day consists of a highly structured participation in education, leisure activities, group therapy, and program committees. The philosophy of the TC is to build self-esteem by participation in positive activities and reward for that activity. Each inmate’s daily routine includes participation in group and other activities designed as part of his/her prescribed program as provided in Figure 1-Program (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 2011).

Group Therapy	Religious	Recreation	Education*
Alcohol & Other Drugs	Musical Group/Choir	Aerobics	ABE
Anger Management	Regular Services	Approved Tournaments	GED
Citizenship	Religious Studies	Art Therapy	Library
Communication Skills		Bingo	Physical Ed.
Daily Living Skills	Employment	Intramural Sports
Family Relations	Maintenance Committee	Music Therapy	See Section II.A.5.b. of this manual*
Human Sexuality	Paid School Attendance	Special Exercise Classes
Hygiene Group	Program Participation	Structured Card Games
Managing Conflicts		Weight Lifting
Parenting		Yard-Out Activities
Self Esteem
Stress Management

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Program Development

Education

PA DOCS emphasizes education as the cornerstones YAO program. All participants are required to attend school for a minimum of five hours each day. The designated classes are designed to meet a wide variety of educational levels that are required by the YAO population. An inmate removed from school (generally disruptive inmate) shall result in Restricted Housing Unit (RHU) confinement and removal of all previously earned status. Participation in education in the education building is seen as a privilege by program staff. If an inmate is confined in the RHU, he/she is expected to continue with his/her studies while in the RHU by doing an in-cell study program. As required by law, any inmate under the age of 18 is mandated to be in an educational program four hours per day for an entire year (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 2011).