Due to concern about how mental health watches are handled in the Massachusetts Department of Correction, the DOC and its health care vendor sought to examine the practice in the state’s prisons, particularly around self-injurious behavior. In addition, in November 2020 the DOJ Civil Rights Division found the MA DOC in violation of the Eight Amendment. This presentation will share the many changes implemented, measured outcomes, and lessons learned.

Learning Objectives

• Review the concerns surrounding mental health watch for self-injurious patients in the MA DOC
• Describe the changes implemented, both operational and cultural
• Analyze the lessons learned from incorporating the "therapeutic supervision" approach

Level

Basic