103 Mass. Reg. 424.09

Current through Register 1523, June 7, 2024
Section 424.09 - Operation of the Phase Treatment Program
(1) The Superintendent and Medical Director shall develop procedures for the operation of, and privilege restrictions in, the phase treatment program. These procedures shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(a)Clothing: Phase Treatment Program patients shall wear patient clothing.
(b)Personal Hygiene: Phase Treatment Program patients will be offered the opportunity to shower and shave daily. Patients on Special Treatment Status shall be escorted to and from showers while handcuffed. Only one Special Treatment Status patient shall be showered at a time. STS patients shall be entitled to one haircut per month in the barber shop.
(c)Meals: STS patients will be fed in their rooms. Except for those patients on dysphagia status, all STS patients shall receive the same meals as patients in the general population. All other Phase Treatment Program patients shall eat in the chow hall.
(d)Patient Movement: STS patients shall be handcuffed and escorted when removed from the STS corridor in the Maximum unit. All restraints shall be removed when the patient reaches the other location and again when the patient is returned to the Special Treatment Corridor. STS patients shall be strip searched, at the discretion of the unit sergeant or designee, upon their removal from, and upon their return to, the STS corridor in the Maximum unit. STS patients in the Maximum Unit shall not have access to patients who are not on that status. Phase I patients, while generally restricted to the corridor on the unit will be allowed out of corridor without mechanical restraint under direct correction officer supervision, as directed by the Treatment Team.
(e)Exercise: STS patients will be offered the opportunity to go to outdoor recreation up to one hour on a daily basis regardless of weather. Time involved in other activities such as showers or telephone shall not be deducted from this period. All other Phase Treatment Program patients shall be allowed to exercise in the gym.
(f)Telephone Calls: STS patients will be offered two 30 minute phone period each week, not including attorney calls. An STS patient must notify the Unit Sergeant that he wishes to make a phone call. All other Phase Treatment Program patients shall have the same telephone privileges as other patients.
(g)Law Library: All Phase Treatment Program patients will have access to the law library at least five hours per week and will be permitted to utilize books, paper, pencil and the typewriter.
(h)General Library: STS and Phase I patients shall not visit the general library. STS patients will be authorized to retain two paperback books, provided by the Librarian, in their rooms at one time. Phase I patients shall be allowed access to additional reading materials. A list of available books will be provided by the Librarian. All other Phase Treatment Program patients shall have the same general library privileges as other patients.
(i)Canteen Privileges: STS patients shall have canteen access for basic hygiene supplies, stamps, paper and envelopes only. Pencils will be provided by mental health workers, and returned after use. All other Phase Treatment Program patients shall have the same canteen privileges as other patients.
(j)Visits: STS patients may have one visit per week of one hour duration with an immediate family member. Visits will be permitted on a prescheduled basis in the Visiting Room, subject to the approval of the Deputy Superintendent. Attorney visits for STS patients are not subject to this time limitation or pre-approval requirement. Phase I patients may have visitors unless contraindicated by the Treatment Team. All other Phase Treatment Program patients shall have the same general visiting privileges as other patients.
(k)Chaplain Visits: Upon request, a regularly scheduled time for the Chaplain to visit an STS patient will be arranged. The Chaplain shall also conduct weekly visits in all units where STS patients are housed. All other Phase Treatment Program patients shall have the same access to the Chaplain as other patients.
(l)Mail: All Phase Treatment Program patients shall be provided the same opportunities for writing and receipt of letters as is available to other patients.
(m)Medical Services: All Phase Treatment Program patients shall receive the same medical services as other patients.

103 CMR 424.09