Psychology Services
Chief Psychologist
DAP Coordinator
DAP Psychologist
Drug Treatment Specialists
Program Statement 5310 Psychology Service Manual, 5330 Psychology Treatment Programs, 6010 Psychiatric Treatment and Medication Administrative Safeguards, 6340 Psychiatric Services, but are not limited to, individual counseling, group counseling, psychological assessment, psychiatric consultation, crisis intervention, AIDS counseling, and drug treatment. Inmates can request an appointment with a psychologist by submitting an “Inmate Request to Staff Member” form to the Psychology Services. Inmate appointments will be scheduled with the appropriate staff member via “call-outs”. In crisis situations, inmates should request that a staff member contact the Psychology Department in order to obtain an immediate appointment.
Suicide Prevention
However, staff does not always see what inmates see. If you are personally experiencing any of the problems noted above, or you or another inmate are showing signs of depression (sadness, tearfulness, lack of enjoyment in usual activities), withdrawal (staying away from others, reducing phone calls and/or visits), or hopelessness (giving away possessions, stating that “there is nothing to live for”), PLEASE, alert a staff member right away. Your input can save a life.
Sexually Abusive Behavior Prevention and Intervention
While you are incarcerated, no one has the right to pressure you to engage in sexual acts.
You do not have to tolerate sexually abusive behavior or pressure to engage in unwanted sexual behavior from another inmate or a staff member. Regardless of your age, size, race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, you have the right to be safe from sexually abusive behavior.
What Can You Do To Prevent Sexually Abusive Behavior?
- Carry yourself in a confident manner at all times. Do not permit your emotions (fear/anxiety) to be obvious to others.
- Do not accept gifts or favors from others. Most gifts or favors come with strings attached to them.
- Do not accept an offer from another inmate to be your protector.
- Find a staff member with whom you feel comfortable discussing your fears
- and concerns.
- Be alert! Do not use contraband substances such as drugs or alcohol; these can weaken your ability to stay alert and make good judgments.
- Be direct and firm if others ask you to do something you don‟t want to do. Do not give mixed messages to other inmates regarding your wishes for sexual activity.
- Stay in well lit areas of the institution.
- Choose your associates wisely. Look for people who are involved in positive activities like educational programs, psychology groups, or religious services. Get involved in these activities yourself.
- Trust your instincts. If you sense that a situation may be dangerous, it probably is. If you fear for your safety, report your concerns to staff.
Sexual Misconduct (Staff only)
An incident is considered Inmate-on-Inmate Abuse/Assault when any sexually abusive behavior occurs between two or more inmates. An incident is considered Staff-on-Inmate Abuse/Assault when any sexually abusive behavior is initiated by a staff member toward one or more inmates. It is also considered Staff-on-Inmate Abuse/Assault if a staff member willingly engages in sexual acts or contacts that are initiated by an inmate.
NOTE: Sexual acts or contacts between two or more inmates, even when no objections are raised, are prohibited acts, and may be illegal. Sexual acts or contacts between an inmate and a staff member, even when no objections are raised by either party, are always forbidden and illegal. Inmates who have been sexual assaulted by another inmate or staff member will not be prosecuted or disciplined for reporting the assault. However, inmates will be penalized for knowingly filing any false report.
How Do You Report an Incident of Sexually Abusive Behavior?
BOP staff members are instructed to keep reported information confidential and only discuss it with the appropriate officials on a need-to-know basis concerning the inmate-victim’s welfare and for law enforcement or investigative purposes. There are other means to confidentiality report sexually abusive behavior if you are not comfortable talking with staff.
- Write directly to the Warden, Regional Director or Director. You can send the Warden an Inmate Request to Staff Member (Cop-out) or a letter reporting the sexually abusive behavior. You may also send a letter to the Regional Director or Director of the Bureau of Prisons. To ensure confidentiality, use special mail procedures.
- File an Administrative Remedy. You can file a Request for Administrative Remedy (BP-9). If you determine your complaint is too sensitive to file with the Warden, you have the opportunity to file your administrative remedy directly with the Regional Director (BP-10). You can get the forms from your counselor or other unit staff.
- Write the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) which investigates allegations of staff misconduct. OIG is a component of the Department of Justice and is not a part of the Bureau of Prisons. The address is:
Office of the Inspector General
P. O. Box 27606
Washington, D.C. 20530
Understanding the Investigative Process
The purpose of the investigation is to determine the nature and scope of the abusive behavior. You may be asked to give a statement during the investigation. If criminal charges are brought, you may be asked to testify during the criminal proceedings.
Counseling Programs for Victims of Sexually Abusive Behavior
Management Program for Inmate Assailants
Policy Definitions: Prohibited Acts
- Code 101/ (A): Sexual Assault
- Code 205/ (A): Engaging in a Sex Act
- Code 206/ (A): Making a Sexual Proposal
- Code 221/ (A): Being in an Unauthorized Area with A Member of the Opposite Sex
- Code 300/ (A): Indecent Exposure
- Code 404/ (A): Using Abusive or Obscene Language
Staff Misconduct
What is sexually abusive behavior?
a. Rape: the carnal knowledge, oral sodomy, or sexual assault with an object or sexual fondling of a person FORCIBLY or against that person’s will; The carnal knowledge, oral sodomy, or sexual assault with an object or sexual fondling of a person not forcibly or against the person’s will, where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity; or The carnal knowledge, oral sodomy, or sexual assault with an object or sexual fondling of a person achieved through the exploitation of the fear or threat of physical violence or bodily injury.
Carnal Knowledge: contact between the penis and vulva or the penis and the anus, including penetration of any sort, however slight.
Oral Sodomy: contact between the mouth and the penis, the mouth and the vulva, or the mouth and the anus.
b. Sexual Assault with an Object: the use of any hand, finger, object, or other instrument to penetrate, however slightly, the genital or anal opening of the body of another person (NOTE: This does NOT apply to custodial or medical personnel engaged in evidence gathering or legitimate medical treatment, nor to health care provider‟s performing body cavity searches in order to maintain security and safety within the prison).
c. Sexual Fondling: the touching of the private body parts of another person (including the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks) for the purpose of sexual gratification.
What Can You Do if You Are Afraid or Feel Threatened?
If you feel immediately threatened, approach any staff member and ask for assistance. It is part of his/her job to ensure your safety. If it is a staff member that is threatening you, report your concerns immediately to another staff member that you trust, or follow the procedures for making a confidential report.
What Can You Do if You Are Sexually Assaulted?
After reporting any sexual assault, you will be referred immediately for a medical examination and clinical assessment. Even though you many want to clean up after the assault it is important to see medical staff BEFORE you shower, wash, drink, eat, change clothing, or use the bathroom. Medical staff will examine you for injuries which may or may not be readily apparent to you. They can also check you for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, if appropriate, and gather any physical evidence of assault. The individuals who sexually abuse or assault inmates can only be disciplined and/or prosecuted if the abuse is reported. Regardless of whether your assailant is an inmate or a staff member, it is important to understand that you will never be disciplined or prosecuted for being the victim of a sexual assault.
Contact Offices:
U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 4322 Washington, D.C. 20530-0001 |
Central Office Federal Bureau of Prisons 320 First Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20534 |
Mid-Atlantic Regional Office 302 Sentinel Drive, Suite 200 Annapolis Junction, Maryland 20701 |
North Central Regional Office Gateway Complex Tower II, 8th Floor 400 State Avenue Kansas City, KS 66101-2492 |
Northeast Regional Office U.S. Customs House, 7th Floor 2nd and Chestnut Streets Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 |
South Central Regional Office 4211 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 72519 |
Southeast Regional Office 3800 North Camp Creek Parkway, SW Building 2000 Atlanta, GA 30331-5099 |
Western Regional Office 7338 Shoreline Drive Stockton, CA 95219 |