Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/03/15/E7-4684/suicide-prevention-program
Timestamp: 2017-08-22 03:36:19
Document Index: 109223071

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552', '§\u2009552']

Federal Register :: Suicide Prevention Program
A Rule by the Prisons Bureau on 03/15/2007
72 FR 12085
BOP-1107-F
1120-AB06
E7-4684
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E7-4684 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E7-4684
Rules Unit, Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, HOLC Room 977, 320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534.
Sarah Qureshi, Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, phone (202) 207-2105.
The Bureau is revising its regulations on the suicide prevention program (28 CFR part 552, subpart E). We published a proposed rule on November 13, 2000 (65 FR 67670). We received one comment.
We are revising the regulations generally for clarity and to remove procedures relating to agency management. The revised regulations more clearly describe for the inmate how we identify and protect inmates at risk for suicide.
Procedures relating to agency management are exempt from the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553). Removing these procedures from the regulations allows us to speak more directly to inmates.
Revised § 552.40 more precisely states the purpose of our suicide prevention program and summarizes how we place inmates in and remove them from the program. Former §§ 552.41 through 552.43 are combined in a new § 552.41 which details the specific procedures we use to identify, refer, assess, and treat potentially suicidal inmates.
We combined provisions for the conditions of a suicide watch in former §§ 552.44, 552.46, and 552.48 in the new § 552.42. The revised regulations are more objective based. For example, the revised regulations require that rooms designated for housing an inmate on suicide watch must allow staff to maintain adequate control of the inmate without compromising the ability to observe and protect the inmate.
Previously, the regulations relied upon a more prescriptive approach of describing the location of the room (“* * * a non-administrative detention/segregation cell ordinarily in the health services area”). This prescriptive approach does not take into account recent developments in correctional facility design and construction, and has become unnecessarily restrictive.
Former §§ 552.45 and 552.49 addressed agency management procedures, and former § 552.47 affirms that a previously imposed sanction remains in effect for an inmate when that inmate is removed from a suicide watch. Because our regulations on inmate discipline sufficiently support that statement, we removed these three sections.
We received one comment on our proposed rulemaking. The commenter had three main areas of concern, which we address below:
Section 552.40: The commenter stated that “there should be a brief explanation of what a suicide watch is” in the rules.
We present just such a brief explanation of “suicide watch” in § 552.42. In this section, we explain in detail the housing arrangements and conditions under which the suicidal inmate is constantly observed. Therefore, it is not necessary to define the term suicide watch in § 552.40.
Section 552.41: The commenter recommended the use of a “buddy system” to prevent suicide, suggesting that highly-regarded inmates might be chosen to “look after” or “befriend” the suicidal inmate. The commenter also suggested that we have a “small team working together” so that the suicidal inmate would “get to know and associate and even depend on that team.”
Each new inmate who enters a Bureau facility receives written material and an orientation that explains what to expect and how to get help from staff. Additionally, all new inmates receive a confidential medical and mental health screening by a medical professional to identify those who need assistance or have the potential for becoming suicidal. These inmates are immediately referred to a mental health professional for individual assessment and appropriate treatment. Therefore, an Start Printed Page 12086inmate “Buddy System” is not necessary.
Section 552.42: Finally, the commenter stated that the “Warden should not have so much power.” Particularly, the commenter referred to § 552.42(b)(2), which states that “[o]nly the Warden may authorize the use of inmate observers.” The commenter suggests that inmates instead go through training to become suicide watch observers.
In fact, the commenter's suggestion is our current practice. The Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator selects, trains, and evaluates inmate observers. A great responsibility rests with those assigned to observe the inmate and immediately report any attempt to do self-harm.
For that reason, the decision to use Bureau staff or inmates is a critical decision which the Warden must make after input from the Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator. Elevating this decision to the Warden level ensures that all staff understand the importance of properly observing the inmate and providing appropriate care.
For the reasons stated above, we do not change the final rule in light of the comment we received.
Suicide watch conditions.
§ 552.40
§ 552.41
§ 552.42
(3) Inmate observers are considered to be on an institution work assignment when they are on their scheduled shift. Start Printed Page 12087
(2) Arrange for the inmate's transfer to a medical referral center or
contract health care facility.
[FR Doc. E7-4684 Filed 3-14-07; 8:45 am]