By C1 Staff
BOSTON, Mass. — A new bill would prevent the solitary confinement of mentally ill inmates for more than 30 days.
H 4545 also requires the corrections commissioner to establish programs in Department of Corrections facilities for treatment of inmates with mental illness; requires department staff who work in secure treatment and residential treatment units to receive mental health training; and allows the commissioner to transfer any inmate to a segregated unit if the inmate is “detrimental” to the program and has been screened by a qualified mental health professional, reports WWLP.
The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Ruth Balser and would cost $13 million when fully implemented.