Forensic Oversight
Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2008, the Special Housing Unit (SHU) Exclusion Law, gave the New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities the responsibility to monitor the quality of mental health care provided to inmates in correctional facilities operated by the New York State Department of Correctional Services (DOCS). In order to carry out this responsibility, the Commission conducts mental health service reviews of unusual or suspicious deaths of inmates. The Commission also conducts periodic systemic reviews of mental health services provided in state correctional facilities.
The Commission refers individual complaints received from inmates and/or their family members or other interested parties to the New York State Office of Mental Health and DOCS for resolution. Complaints may also be referred to the New York State Commission on Correction or any of the Commission’s Protection and Advocacy contractors where appropriate.
In 2011, the Commission’s responsibilities will expand to include:
- Oversight of assessment, treatment, discipline and restrictions in all residential mental health treatment units operating in New York State correctional facilities;
- Authority to recommend an assessment to see if an inmate should be transferred from SHU to a residential mental health treatment unit;
- Report on implementation of the SHU Exclusion Law annually; and
- Appoint an advisory committee on psychiatric correctional care.
In addition, Mental Hygiene Law §45.07 requires the Commission to assure effective investigation of complaints of patients, residents and employees of mental hygiene facilities, including Office for Persons with Developmental Disavilities (OMRDD) and Office of Mental Health (OMH) forensic facilities.
 Residential Crisis Treatment Program Review |