N.J. Admin. Code § 10A:20-4.9

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 19, October 7, 2024

Section 10A:20-4.9 - Medical/dental/psychological review of applicants for Residential Community Reintegration Programs

(a) A complete review of an inmate's medical records shall be made by the health care provider when the inmate is being considered for placement in a Residential Community Reintegration Program.

(b) The responsible health care authority who is clinically responsible for the correctional facility medical department shall review an inmate's medical records, consider the following factors, and provide medical certification prior to the Institutional Classification Committee (I.C.C.) approval or disapproval of the inmate for participation in a Residential Community Reintegration Program. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to:

1. The employability of the inmate;

2. The work limitations of the inmate, such as no food handling, restrictions on physical activities, such as lifting and walking, and no work around machinery;

3. Medication(s), such as, but not limited to, psychotropic and addictive medication;

4. Acute or chronic conditions requiring frequent medical intervention, such as, but not limited to, uncontrolled diabetes, dialysis, unstable asthma, and open wound care;

5. Impending surgery;

6. Any known medical restrictions; and

7. Ability to maintain self-care with limited assistance from others, including, but not limited to, personal hygiene and compliance with "Keep on Person" medication instructions.

(c) The responsible health care authority who is clinically responsible for the dental department shall review an inmate's dental records, consider all dental work in progress, and provide dental certification prior to the I.C.C. approving or disapproving the inmate application for participation in a Residential Community Reintegration Program.

(d) The medical and dental health care authorities shall complete MR--030 Community Reintegration Medical Examination Form and submit the form to the Institutional Community Reintegration Program Coordinator who shall forward the form to the I.C.C.

(e) If there are questions regarding the appropriateness of medically or dentally approving an inmate for participation in an RCRP, the medical and/or dental health care authority shall contact the Division of Operations, Health Services Unit, Director of Medical Services, or Director of Dental Services, for assistance prior to sending the completed Form MR--030 to the Institutional Community Reintegration Program Coordinator.

(f) An inmate's most recent psychological evaluation shall be reviewed prior to the I.C.C. initial approval or disapproval of the inmate for participation in the Residential Community Reintegration Program. When a psychological evaluation is more than 12 months old or is requested by the Office of Community Programs, the health care authority of the correctional facility shall ensure that another evaluation of the inmate is conducted. The evaluation shall assess:

1. The inmate's readiness and ability to adequately adapt to the pressures and responsibilities of living outside the correctional facility; and

2. The stability of the inmate which takes into account:

i. Any mental illness; and/or

ii. Current use of psychotropic medications.

(g) The Institutional Community Reintegration Program Coordinator shall notify the Office of Community Programs of any changes in the inmate's medical, dental, and/or psychological conditions that occur during the period of time between I.C.C. initial approval for inmate participation in the Residential Community Reintegration Program and the transfer of the inmate to a program.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10A:20-4.9

Amended by R.2003 d.225, effective 6/2/2003.
See: 34 N.J.R. 4325(a), 35 N.J.R. 2483(a).
Rewrote the section.
Amended by R.2008 d.266, effective 9/2/2008.
See: 40 N.J.R. 2647(a), 40 N.J.R. 5040(a).
In (d), (e) and (g), deleted "Agreement" following "Release".

Amended by 52 N.J.R. 2060(a), effective 11/16/2020

Amended by 55 N.J.R. 2191(a), effective 10/16/2023