2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XVIII - Prisons, Imprisonment, Paroles and Pardons › Chapter 127 - Officers and Inmates of Penal and Reformatory Institutions. Paroles and Pardons › Section 1 - Definitions

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:—
''Behavioral health counseling'', a non-pharmacological intervention carried out by a qualified behavioral health professional in a therapeutic context at an individual, family or group level; provided, however, that such an intervention may include a structured, professionally administered intervention delivered in person or an intervention delivered remotely via telemedicine.
''Commissioner'', the commissioner of correction.
''Disciplinary restrictive housing'', a placement in restrictive housing in a state correctional facility for disciplinary purposes after a finding has been made that the prisoner has committed a breach of discipline.
''Exigent circumstances'', circumstances that create an unacceptable risk to the safety of any person.
''Medication-assisted treatment'', treatment for an opioid-related substance use disorder that: (i) is determined to be medically necessary by a qualified addiction specialist; (ii) involves the use of medication that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for treatment of an opioid-related substance use disorder; and (iii) is offered in accordance with a treatment plan that is reviewed by a qualified addiction specialist at a frequency consistent with appropriate clinical standards.
''Parole board'', the parole board of the department of correction.
''Placement review'', a multidisciplinary examination to determine whether restrictive housing continues to be necessary to reasonably manage risks of harm, notwithstanding any previous finding of a disciplinary breach, exigent circumstances or other circumstances supporting a placement in restrictive housing; provided, however, that when a placement review is conducted pursuant to clause (iv) or (v) of subsection (a) of section 39B, the examiners performing a placement review shall include, but not be limited to, 1 member of the security staff, 1 member of the programming staff and 1 member of the mental health staff.
''Qualified addiction specialist'', a treatment provider who is: (i) a physician licensed by the board of registration of medicine, a licensed advanced practice registered nurse or a licensed physician assistant; and (ii) a qualifying practitioner or qualifying other practitioner, as defined in the federal Controlled Substances Act, as codified at 21 U.S.C. 823(G), who has been issued an identification number by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration pursuant to the federal Controlled Substances Act, as codified at 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(2)(D)(ii) or 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(2)(D)(iii).
''Serious mental illness'', a current or recent diagnosis by a qualified mental health professional of 1 or more of the following disorders described in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: (i) schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; (ii) major depressive disorders; (iii) all types of bipolar disorders; (iv) a neurodevelopmental disorder, dementia or other cognitive disorder; (v) any disorder commonly characterized by breaks with reality or perceptions of reality; (vi) all types of anxiety disorders; (vii) trauma and stressor related disorders; or (viii) severe personality disorders; or a finding by a qualified mental health professional that the prisoner is at serious risk of substantially deteriorating mentally or emotionally while confined in restrictive housing, or already has so deteriorated while confined in restrictive housing, such that diversion or removal is deemed to be clinically appropriate by a qualified mental health professional.
''Qualified mental health professional'', a treatment provider who is a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric social worker or psychiatric nurse and others who by virtue of education, credentials and experience are permitted by law to evaluate and care for the mental health needs of patients.
''Residential treatment unit'', a general population housing unit within a correctional institution of the commonwealth that is operated for the purpose of providing treatment and rehabilitation for inmates with mental illness.
''Restrictive Housing'', a housing placement where a prisoner is confined to a cell for more than 22 hours per day; provided, however, that observation for mental health evaluation shall not be considered restrictive housing.
''Secure treatment unit'', a maximum security residential treatment program designed to provide an alternative to segregation for inmates diagnosed with serious mental illness in accordance with clinical standards adopted by the department of correction.
''Victim'', a person who has suffered a personal injury, including mental anguish or death, property damage or property loss; also any entity which has suffered property damage or property loss as a direct result of the crime for which the sentence referred to in this chapter was imposed.