Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127 § 1

Current through Chapter 112 of the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 127:1 - Definitions

As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

"Commissioner", the commissioner of correction.

"Parole board", the parole board of the department of correction.

"Placement review", a multidisciplinary examination to determine whether restrictive housing continues to be necessary to reasonably manage risks of harm, notwithstanding any previous finding of a disciplinary breach, exigent circumstances or other circumstances supporting a placement in restrictive housing; provided, however, that when a placement review is conducted pursuant to clause (iv) or (v) of subsection (a) of section 39B, the examiners performing a placement review shall include, but not be limited to, 1 member of the security staff, 1 member of the programming staff and 1 member of the mental health staff.

"Qualified mental health professional", a treatment provider who is a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric social worker or psychiatric nurse and others who by virtue of education, credentials and experience are permitted by law to evaluate and care for the mental health needs of patients.

"Residential treatment unit", a general population housing unit within a correctional institution of the commonwealth that is operated for the purpose of providing treatment and rehabilitation for inmates with mental illness.

"Restrictive Housing", a housing placement where a prisoner is confined to a cell for more than 22 hours per day; provided, however, that observation for mental health evaluation shall not be considered restrictive housing.

"Secure treatment unit", a maximum security residential treatment program designed to provide an alternative to segregation for inmates diagnosed with serious mental illness in accordance with clinical standards adopted by the department of correction.

"Serious mental illness", a current or recent diagnosis by a qualified mental health professional of 1 or more of the following disorders described in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: (i) schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; (ii) major depressive disorders; (iii) all types of bipolar disorders; (iv) a neurodevelopmental disorder, dementia or other cognitive disorder; (v) any disorder commonly characterized by breaks with reality or perceptions of reality; (vi) all types of anxiety disorders; (vii) trauma and stressor related disorders; or (viii) severe personality disorders; or a finding by a qualified mental health professional that the prisoner is at serious risk of substantially deteriorating mentally or emotionally while confined in restrictive housing, or already has so deteriorated while confined in restrictive housing, such that diversion or removal is deemed to be clinically appropriate by a qualified mental health professional.

"Victim", a person who has suffered a personal injury, including mental anguish or death, property damage or property loss; also any entity which has suffered property damage or property loss as a direct result of the crime for which the sentence referred to in this chapter was imposed.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, § 1

Amended by Acts 2018, c. 69,§§ 86, 87 eff. 12/31/2018.
Amended by Acts 2018, c. 69,§ 85, eff. 12/31/2018.
Amended by Acts 2014, c. 446,§ 1, eff. 4/5/2015.