§ 2-02 Identification and Detection.
RCNY § 2-02
(a)Policy. Procedures shall be developed and implemented which promote the timely identification of inmates requiring mental health evaluation.
(b)Receiving screening.
(1)Screening for mental and emotional disorders is to be performed on all inmates before they are placed in general population. This initial screening shall take place within twenty-four hours after an inmate's arrival at the correctional facility.
(2)Screening shall be performed by mental health services personnel or by appropriately trained medical personnel. Screening may be incorporated within the medical intake procedure.
(3)The Department of Health, with the approval of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services shall develop written procedures setting the topics to be reviewed in receiving screening. The review shall include, but need not be limited to: psychiatric history, including neuropsychiatric hospitalizations, contacts with mental health professionals, suicidal and violent behavior, history or presence of delusions or hallucinations, and an assessment based on behavioral observations of mood, orientation, impaired consciousness, indications of gross mental retardation and significant presenting complaints.
(4)The professionals conducting intake screening shall record their findings in a standard, written mental health intake form which the Department of Health shall develop with the approval of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services for use in all facilities.
(5)Receiving screening shall include a description of available mental health services and the procedures for access to those services: (i) inmates shall receive a written communication in English and Spanish describing available mental health services, the confidentiality of those services and the procedures for gaining access to them; (ii) the Department of Correction shall make provisions to assist in assuring that the procedures for gaining access to mental health services are verbally explained to illiterate inmates, and that inmates whose native language is other than English or Spanish are given prompt access to translation services for the explanation of these procedures.
(c)Training of staff.
(d)Observation aides.
