SOP_NUMBER: 508.35
TITLE: Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders
REFERENCE_CODE: VG85-0001
DIVISION: Health Services Division (Mental Health)
TOPIC_AREA: Mental Health Administration/Staff/Certification
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2022-08-02
WORD_COUNT: 2409
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106297
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/508.35/
SUMMARY:
This policy establishes procedures for GDC to ensure continuity of mental health care for offenders with mental health needs who are being paroled or discharged from the Georgia Department of Corrections. Mental health staff must begin discharge planning 30-60 days before release, coordinate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and Department of Community Supervision, and ensure offenders receive prescribed medications and scheduled follow-up appointments in the community. The policy applies to all GDC facilities with a mental health mission.
KEY_TOPICS: discharge planning, mental health offenders, continuity of care, parole release, community transition, psychiatric medication, mental health referrals, community mental health services, offender release, mental health counseling, psychotropic medications, reentry planning
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Re-Entry Referral Form
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/508.35-att-1/
2. Mental Health Services – Offender Release Log
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/508.35-att-2/
3. Instructions for Completing the Probation-Parole Re-Entry Referral Form (M85-01-03)
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/508.35-att-3/
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FULL TEXT:
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|
|**Policy Number:** 508.35|**Effective Date:** 8/2/2022|**Page Number:** 1 of 7|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Health Services Division
(Mental Health)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**
It is the policy of the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) that a concerted
effort will be made to ensure Continuity of Care for all offenders on the mental
health caseload paroling or discharging from the GDC. The mental health team will
collaborate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental
Disabilities (DBHDD) and the Department of Community Supervision (DCS) to
assist in a smooth and safe transition from GDC to the community while maintaining
standards of confidentiality. This procedure is applicable to all GDC facilities with a
mental health mission.
**II.** **Authority:**
A. NCCHC Standards for Health Services in Prisons: P-27, P-44, P-60, and P-64;
B. NCCHC Standards for Health Services in Juvenile Detention and Confinement
Facilities: Y-49, Y-58, and Y-61;
C. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): 210.08 Probation Boot Camp
Discharge/Post-Release Program and Supervision, 507.04.18 Discharge
Planning, and 508.09 Mental Health Records;
D. OCGA §§ 37-3-41 and 37-3-166; and
E. ACA Standards: 5-ACI-6D-07, 5-ACI-5F-05, and 4-ALDF-5B-18.
**III.** **Definitions:**
**Continuity of Care** - The continuation of mental health treatment at the appropriate
level of care without interruption as an offender moves within the correctional
system from admission through release and as the offender transitions back into the
community.
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|
|**Policy Number:** 508.35|**Effective Date:** 8/2/2022|**Page Number:** 2 of 8|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Health Services Division
(Mental Health)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**
A. Preparation for Release: When an offender on the mental health caseload
receives a confirmed parole or discharge date and is within 30 to 60 days of
release from GDC, the following actions need to be initiated in preparation for
release to the community in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral
Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) or the Department of
Community Supervision (DCS):
1. The assigned mental health counselor, mental health technician, and/or the
multifunctional correctional officer will gather information from the offender
regarding discharge to the community and the offender’s needs for
placement. Review of institutional and mental health or medical records will
be necessary. Approval from the offender is necessary to make contact with
the community service providers and/or family on behalf of the offender.
Sharing of information with the family will require a signed Authorization for
Release of Information Form (Attachment 3, form M31-01-03, SOP 508.15
Mental Health Evaluations) prior to speaking with service providers or family
members.
2. Prior to making community arrangements, the mental health counselor,
mental health technician, and/or the multifunctional correctional officer will
request that the offender sign an Authorization for Release of Information
(Attachment 3, form M31-01-03, SOP 508.15) for each expected community
contact. However, information may be shared with mental health staff in
community agencies without written consent per O.C.G.A. § 37-3-166(a)(3).
["When the service plan of a patient involves transfer of that patient to
another facility, community mental health center, or private practitioner, a
copy of the record or information contained in the record may be released to
that facility, community mental health center or private practitioner."]
3. Other agency contacts may be necessary. Any additional community
arrangements will be provided in writing to the offender with copies placed
in section 7 of the mental health record.
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|
|**Policy Number:** 508.35|**Effective Date:** 8/2/2022|**Page Number:** 3 of 8|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Health Services Division
(Mental Health)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
4. The mental health counselor, mental health technician, the multifunctional
correctional officer, or mental health nurse will schedule a final psychiatric
evaluation for all discharging/paroling offenders on psychotropic medication
as close as possible to the actual release date. The psychiatrist/advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN) will prescribe discharge medication to
include at least a 30-day supply of blister-packed medication. A prescription
may be written for an additional 30-day supply. Discharge medication and
the prescription will be given to the offender upon release to help continue
on-going treatment until the offender’s scheduled appointment for follow-up
mental health services in the community.
B. Eligibility:
1. All offenders on the active mental health caseload will be eligible for referral
to continue mental health services.
2. Offenders on the active mental health caseload with a residence plan outside
the state of Georgia will not be eligible for the mental health counselor,
mental health technician, and/or the multifunctional correctional officer to
arrange continued mental health services.
3. Offenders being granted a conditional transfer to other custody will not be
eligible for a referral for continued mental health services unless there is a
reasonable expectation that they will be released to the community from the
other custody within 30 days of transfer.
5. Offenders who are eligible for social security disability funds will have a
social security application form submitted to the Social Security
Administration during the 60 days prior to release to facilitate a smooth
transition to the community.
6. A referral for continued mental health services will be made at least 30 days
prior to the offender’s date of release from confinement for all offenders not
being released through action of the parole board. If notification of a release
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|
|**Policy Number:** 508.35|**Effective Date:** 8/2/2022|**Page Number:** 4 of 8|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Health Services Division
(Mental Health)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
date is not received more than 30-60 days prior to the scheduled release date,
a referral will be made immediately upon receiving the offender’s date of
release.
7. The mental health staff will attempt to contact the community intake team or
a mental health service agency by telecommunications to discuss the case and
receive details regarding the offender’s first contact with a mental health
professional in the community. A Mental Health Offender Release Log
(Attachment 2, form M85-01-02), also referred to as a discharge log, should
be maintained. This Mental Health Offender Release Log will be used to
record the details for the follow-up appointments.
C. Record Keeping:
1. The Re-Entry Referral Form will be completed electronically in Scribe.
However, if the form is not available in Scribe, the Re-Entry Referral Form
(Attachment 1, form M85-01-01) and supporting documents will be
completed by hand and placed in the offender’s mental health record (section
7). The mental health unit manager/designee will maintain a copy of the
referral form in the Mental Health Offender Release Log (Attachment 2, form
M85-01-02) and in section 7 of the offender’s mental health record.
2. The Re-Entry Referral Form (Attachment 1, form M85-01-01) will be
completed in Scribe or by hand on all community mental health service
referrals. Data from the release or discharge log will be made available to the
statewide mental health director/designee with other data in the mental health
monthly report.
3. The central office designee will maintain an aggregate record of all referrals
in electronic format.
4. A document will be transmitted to the central office designee by fax or email
regarding all offenders who are released without referral due to lack of
eligibility. This document will contain the following information:
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|
|**Policy Number:** 508.35|**Effective Date:** 8/2/2022|**Page Number:** 5 of 8|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Health Services Division
(Mental Health)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
a. Offender’s name;
b. Offender’s Georgia Department of Corrections identification number;
c. Offender’s release date; and
d. The Reason for being ineligible (i.e., released out-of-state,
transferred/released to other custody, etc.).
D. Re-Entry Referral:
1. Mental health staff will complete in Scribe or transmit by fax the Re-Entry
Referral Form (Attachment 1, form M85-01-01) and any supporting
documents to the community mental health service agency. Instructions for
completing the Re-Entry Referral Form can be found in Attachment 3, form
M85-01-03.
2. In addition, a telephone contact will be made with the community mental
health service agency to discuss the case and obtain an appointment time and
location for the first contact with a mental health provider in the community.
3. The offender will be provided with information about their first community
mental health service provider appointment or with information about how to
contact the community mental health service agency if no appointment has
been set prior to the offender’s release.
4. Failure to make telephone contact will not be considered a failure to make a
proper community mental health service agency referral if all necessary
documents have been transmitted by fax to the identified mental health
service agency.
E. Offenders in Need of Residential Care:
1. The assigned mental health counselor, mental health technician, and/or the
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|
|**Policy Number:** 508.35|**Effective Date:** 8/2/2022|**Page Number:** 6 of 8|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Health Services Division
(Mental Health)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
multifunctional correctional officer will contact the appropriate DBHDD or
DCS liaison informing them of the offender’s release date, county of
residence, and mental health needs as soon as possible prior to release to give
them enough time to assist in locating appropriate housing for the offender.
2. The assigned mental health counselor, mental health technician, and/or the
multifunctional correctional officer can locate resources from the internet that
the offender can contact for potential residence plans prior to release.
F. Dangerous Offenders: If an offender has a serious mental illness and presents a
clear and present danger to self or others, the treating
psychiatrist/APRN/psychologist will initiate procedures to voluntarily admit or
involuntarily commit the offender to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation,
observation, and treatment. The referral will be made through DBHDD’s crisis
access line to the regional mental health hospital that is in the catchment area of
the offender’s planned discharge residence. If the offender doesn't have a
residence, this information will be provided to the crisis access line for a referral
to the regional mental health hospital in or near the county of conviction. A
psychiatrist, APRN, or psychologist will complete a Georgia DBHDD
Emergency Admission Certificate (Form 1013) to the Regional Hospital
(emergency receiving facility). Form 1013 may be obtained from the Georgia
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. A copy of
Form 1013 will be filed in section 5 of the mental health record.
1. It may also be necessary for the mental health unit manager to contact an
admissions/intake coordinator at the regional hospital to arrange the details
for hospital admission.
2. The mental health unit manager will advise the warden and the administrative
management team of a voluntary admission or an involuntary commitment.
Security staff in coordination with the mental health unit manager will
facilitate transport of the offender directly from the facility from which the
offender is being released, to the psychiatric hospital on the day of discharge.
The offender will be released from the custody of the GDC to the hospital.
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|
|**Policy Number:** 508.35|**Effective Date:** 8/2/2022|**Page Number:** 7 of 8|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Health Services Division
(Mental Health)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
3. If an offender is being paroled, the mental health unit manager will advise the
Board of Pardons and Parole if the offender poses an overt danger to self or
others. If the Board rescinds the offender’s parole, mental health treatment
will be provided by the GDC.
G. Documentation of Release:
1. All discharge-related information, interactions, and plans arranged by the
mental health counselor, mental health technician, and/or the multifunctional
correctional officer will be documented in a progress note clearly labeled
"discharge planning" and placed in the mental health record (Section 1).
2. All discharge-related plans will be documented in a progress note by the
psychiatrist/APRN/psychologist or mental health nurse and filed in the
medical record (section 5) with a copy placed in the mental health record
(section 1).
3. The Mental Health Offender Release Log (Attachment 2, form M85-01-02)
will be maintained under the direction of the mental health unit manager with
data sent to the statewide mental health director/designee every month.
H. Closing the Mental Health Record: On the day of discharge/release or on the next
working day, the mental health record will be closed and sent to medical records
per the procedures in SOP 508.09 Mental Health Records.
**V.** **Attachments:**
Attachment 1: Re-Entry Referral Form (M85-01-01)
Attachment 2: Mental Health Offender Release Log (M85-01-02)
Attachment 3: Instructions for Completing the Probation-Parole Re-Entry
Referral Form (M85-01-03)
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|**Policy Name:**Discharge Planning for Mental Health Offenders|
|**Policy Number:** 508.35|**Effective Date:** 8/2/2022|**Page Number:** 8 of 8|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Health Services Division
(Mental Health)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:**
Upon completion, Attachment 1 will be placed in the offender’s mental health file
(section 7). At the end of the offender’s need for mental health services and/or
sentence, the mental health file shall be placed within the offender’s health record
and retained for 10 years. Upon completion, Attachment 2 shall be maintained in the
mental health area for 10 years. Attachment 3 is instructional only and shall be
utilized per the SOP until revised or obsolete.