Restrictive Housing Placement and Limitations on Placement in Restrictive Housing

The Superintendent of a state correctional facility or designee may authorize the confinement of an inmate in Restrictive Housing if the inmate's retention in general population poses an unacceptable risk: (a) to the safety of others; (b) of damage or destruction of property; or (c) to the operation of a correctional facility. Before placement in Restrictive Housing, an inmate shall be screened by a Qualified Mental Health Professional to determine if the inmate has a serious mental illness (SMI) or to determine if Restrictive Housing is otherwise clinically contraindicated based on clinical standards adopted by the Department of Correction, with said standards adopted in consultation with the Department of Mental Health, and the Qualified Mental Health Professional's clinical judgment. Additional mental health procedures and treatment attendant to Restrictive Housing placement shall comport with the requirements set forth in 103 DOC 650: Mental Health Services. Additionally, prior to or immediately upon placement in Restrictive Housing, the inmate shall be screened by medical staff. Screening by medical staff shall include a determination of any medical contraindications to Restrictive Housing, including the existence of a permanent physical disability that precludes placement in Restrictive Housing, in which the inmate shall not be placed in Restrictive Housing. This screening shall be documented and placed in the inmate's medical record. This shall be documented on the RHU Inmate Information screen.