Massachusetts Department of Correction Bridgewater State Hospital

1. Massachusetts Department of CorrectionBridgewater State Hospital Luis S. Spencer, Commissioner

2. Mission Statement “The mission of Bridgewater State Hospital is to promote public safety, provide court ordered statutorily mandated evaluations of its patients, and treat mentally ill adult men who by virtue of their mental illness are in need of hospitalization under conditions of strict security.”

3. Provision of a safe and secure environment for all staff and patients consistent with Department of Correction policy, American Correctional Association standards and other regulatory and statutory requirements; Provision of a high standard of medical and mental health care that recognizes patients' rights consistent with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization; Provision of a high standard of forensic evaluations that meet statutory requirements and are consistent with Department of Mental Health regulations; Provision of a humane environment that recognizes the rights of patients; Bridgewater State Hospital Initiatives:

4. History • 1852 Opening of the Almshouse for paupers at Bridgewater. • 1887 The name changed to Massachusetts State Farm following the transfer of fifty "insane” people from other asylums. • 1895The "Asylum for Insane Criminals" was established with its first Medical Director. • 1919 The supervision of the Bridgewater State Farm was transferred from the State Board of Charity to Massachusetts Bureau of Prisons. • 1974The New State Hospital facility opened. • 1975 McLean Hospital was contracted to provide mental health services. • 1986 Goldberg Medical Associates was contracted to provide medical and mental health services. • 1987 Bridgewater State Hospital was designated as an independent facility with its first Superintendent, separating from MCI Bridgewater. • 1990 Bridgewater Correction Complex was developed. This resulted in the consolidation of support services and reporting responsibilities being designated to an Assistant Deputy Commissioner. The provision of all health and mental health services is privatized.

5. Accreditations • 1998 Bridgewater State Hospital is awarded accreditation from the American Correctional Association (ACA). Recently received re-accreditation in 2010. • 2003 Bridgewater State Hospital is awarded accreditation by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). • 2006 Bridgewater State Hospital is re-accredited by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). • 2009 Bridgewater State Hospital is re-accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC).

6. Scope of Services • All admissions are applicable under section of M.G.L. Chapter 123 and are per civil court order. Evaluations are completed for the following purposes: • *15 (b)Competency to Stand Trial • * 15 (b) Determination of Criminal Responsibility • * 15 (e) Aid to Sentencing Evaluation • * 18 (a) Ability to Await Trial in a Penal Environment • * 18 (a) Ability to Serve a Sentence in a Penal Environment • * 16 (a) Evaluation of Need for Further Treatment and/or Strict Security Following a Determination of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

7. FY 2011 Admission Data • Total admissions = 795 • Admissions from county jails = 277 (35%) • Admissions from DOC prisons = 144 (18%) • Admissions from police stations = 49 (7%) • Admissions for competency to stand trial, aid to sentencing and/or criminal responsibility evaluations = 325 (40%)

8. Evaluation & Treatment • All evaluations conducted by licensed psychologists and psychiatrists that have specialized training and certification • Individuals may be committed to hospital for further treatment • Commitment periods range from six months to one year and must be initiated and renewed by either a District or Superior Court with expert witness testimony

9. Working Together

10. Each patient is assigned to a housing unit with a designated, on-site multi- disciplinary treatment team Each patient is provided with an individualized treatment plan and is offered group, individual and specialized programming Patients are offered academic and vocational programming opportunities, structured recreation, leisure time activities Treatment & Programming

11. Discharge Process: State and County Inmates All committed patients serving a state sentence transition to a civil commitment status once the criminal sentence expires

12. Discharge Process: Civilly Committed Patients All committed patients without a criminal sentence step down from the “strict security” of BSH through an involuntary, inpatient hospitalization at DMH

13. The DOC has a written, legally binding MOU with DMH that formalizes the communication and collaboration between the 2 agencies; Quarterly meetings are held to review and discuss all upcoming transitions Prior to discharge the following occurs for each committed patient: Multi-disciplinary case conference to review progress/ongoing determination of risk Direct collaboration with DMH, patient interviews with DMH staff BSH seeks court order to release all pertinent clinical and custodial information to DMH prior to transfer Gradual increase in privileges while at BSH to better match the environment at DMH, transferred to minimum security unit, less restrictions on property, etc. Partnership with DMH