94-26111. Drug Abuse Treatment Programs; Final and Interim Rules  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 203 (Friday, October 21, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-26111]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: October 21, 1994]
    
    
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    Part VIII
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Justice
    
    
    
    
    
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    Bureau of Prisons
    
    
    
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    28 CFR Parts 545 and 550
    
    
    
    
    Drug Abuse Treatment Programs; Final and Interim Rules
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    DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
    
    Bureau of Prisons
    
    28 CFR Parts 545, and 550
    
    [BOP-1010-F]
    RIN 1120-AA16
    
     
    Drug Abuse Treatment Programs
    
    AGENCY: Bureau of Prisons, Justice.
    
    ACTION: Final and interim rules.
    
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    SUMMARY: In this document, the Bureau of Prisons is amending its rule 
    on Chemical Abuse Programs by renaming it as Drug Abuse Treatment 
    Programs, by expanding programming available to inmates, and by 
    requiring participation from certain inmates. An inmate who has been 
    recommended for drug programming during incarceration by the sentencing 
    judge, or whose presentence investigation contains evidence that 
    alcohol or other drug use contributed to the commission of the instant 
    offense, or for whom alcohol or drug abuse was a reason for violation 
    of either supervised release, parole or community corrections center 
    placement will be required to participate in a drug abuse education 
    course. Further program opportunities are presented through voluntary 
    participation in residential and non-residential drug abuse treatment 
    programs and through transitional services. This amendment also makes 
    conforming changes with respect to inmate financial responsibility 
    requirements. Provisions on eligibility criteria for residential and 
    non-residential drug treatment programs are being adopted on an interim 
    basis. This amendment is intended to fulfill statutory requirements to 
    make available to inmates appropriate substance abuse treatment.
    
    DATES: Effective November 21, 1994; comments on interim provisions in 
    Secs. 550.55(a) and 550.57(a) are due December 20, 1994.
    
    ADDRESSES: Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, HOLC Room 754, 
    320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Nanovic, Office of General 
    Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, phone (202) 514-6655.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Prisons is amending its 
    regulations on Chemical Abuse Programs. A proposed rule on this subject 
    was published in the Federal Register on January 7, 1994 (59 FR 1240 et 
    seq.). This proposed rule renamed such programming as Drug Abuse 
    Treatment Programs and distinguished between mandatory and voluntary 
    requirements for inmate participation. The comment period closed on 
    March 8, 1994. The Bureau received comment from only one respondent. A 
    summary of comment and agency response follows.
        The commenter stated that the statutory provision mandating the 
    Bureau of Prisons to provide substance abuse treatment programs is 
    directly opposed to mandating participation in treatment programs when 
    imposing the original sentence. The commenter cited 18 U.S.C. 3582(a) 
    and 28 U.S.C. 994(k) as being ``inappropriately immiscible'' to the 
    provisions proposed in 28 CFR 550.52(a) (1) and (3). In response, the 
    Bureau notes that there is no statutory conflict. The provisions in 18 
    U.S.C. 3582(a) and 28 U.S.C. 994(k) relate to imposition of sentence by 
    the court under the guidelines of the United States Sentencing 
    Commission. These are intended to ensure that the various aspects 
    relating to the offense are considered in determining the relevance of 
    imprisonment, and if relevant, the length of such imprisonment. It is 
    only after a term of imprisonment is imposed that 18 U.S.C. 3621 
    becomes applicable. The Bureau's authority under 18 U.S.C. 3621(b) to 
    make available appropriate substance abuse treatment for each inmate 
    committed to its custody has been implemented separately through this 
    very rulemaking. Use by the Bureau of the sentencing court's 
    recommendation or of information in the Presentence Investigation has 
    no direct impact on the prior decision taken by the sentencing court.
        The commenter also questioned the operation of the program at a 
    specific Bureau institution, stating that the proposals were being 
    implemented with severe sanctions for an inmate who does not 
    participate voluntarily. The administrative remedy procedure is the 
    appropriate means for inmates to voice their concerns on such aspects 
    of their imprisonment. A review of inmate remedy requests for calendar 
    year 1993 at the cited institution indicates only one request filed 
    under the subject matter of substance abuse programs. The ``severe 
    sanctions'' apparently refer to pay and community status restrictions 
    (i.e., being held to the lowest pay grade and loss of eligibility for 
    furlough consideration or community corrections center placement) 
    imposed on an inmate who had declined to complete drug abuse education 
    requirements. That complaint ultimately was mooted upon the inmate's 
    completion of the forty hour course.
        In issuing the final rule, the Bureau has further reorganized the 
    regulations for the sake of clarity. Additional provisions have been 
    added which are either administrative in nature or are intended to 
    allow for increased voluntary participation in drug abuse treatment 
    programming. Specific provisions as to eligibility criteria codified in 
    new Secs. 550.55(a) and 550.57(a) are being adopted on an interim basis 
    with the opportunity for further comment. A discussion of this further 
    reorganization and additions follows.
        The statement of purpose and scope Sec. 550.50 is adopted as final 
    without change. The provisions in proposed Sec. 550.51 have been 
    reorganized and revised as new Secs. 550.51 through 550.53. As revised, 
    new Sec. 550.51 defines the role of the Drug Abuse Treatment 
    Coordinator and the Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist. Provisions of 
    proposed Sec. 550.51 which covered requirements on the Admission and 
    Orientation program and screening and referral are now separately 
    stated in new Secs. 550.52 and 550.53. New Sec. 550.52 contains the 
    provisions pertinent to the Admission and Orientation program. These 
    provisions have been reworded, but there is no change in the intent. 
    New Sec. 550.53 contains the provisions pertinent to screening and 
    referral. As revised, this section now also provides for a record 
    review by the case manager.
        The provisions in proposed Sec. 550.52 on the drug abuse education 
    course have been revised as new Sec. 550.54. This section has been 
    reorganized and revised for the sake of clarity. As revised, paragraph 
    (a)(2) of this section now also specifies that, with respect to 
    voluntary participants, the Bureau gives priority consideration to 
    those inmates whose participation has been recommended by unit or 
    treatment staff. This change is necessary to help ensure the efficient 
    program allocation of Bureau resources. Paragraph (b) of the revised 
    section now allows for inmates to receive work assignment promotions 
    during their participation in or while on a ``waiting list'' for the 
    drug abuse education course.
        The provisions in proposed Sec. 550.53 on institution residential 
    and nonresidential programs have been revised and separately stated in 
    new Secs. 550.55 through 550.57. New Sec. 550.55 covers the voluntary 
    institution residential drug abuse treatment program. As revised, this 
    section no longer restricts application to those inmates who have been 
    recommended by unit and/or drug treatment staff. As a consequence of 
    this expansion of programming opportunity, paragraph (a) of new 
    Sec. 550.55 now contains eligibility criteria for program 
    participation. The eligibility criteria is intended to allow the Bureau 
    to allocate its resources in an efficient manner. The Bureau is 
    adopting this provision on an interim basis, and will accept comments 
    for the purpose of reissuance as a final regulation. New Sec. 550.56 
    contains the provisions in proposed Sec. 550.53(c) on the use of 
    incentives. New Sec. 550.57 covers the voluntary non-residential drug 
    treatment program. As revised, programming opportunities appropriate 
    for the drug abuse treatment needs of inmates who have more than 
    thirty-six months left to serve have been expanded and consequent 
    eligibility criteria in Sec. 550.57(a) have been adopted on an interim 
    basis.
        The provisions for transitional services in proposed Sec. 550.54 
    have been adopted as final without change in new Sec. 550.58.
        Conforming changes to the Bureau's provisions on inmate financial 
    responsibility (28 CFR 545.11) have been adopted as final without 
    change. Other proposed conforming changes to the provisions on 
    institution work and performance pay (28 CFR 545.23) will be addressed 
    in a separate final rule document.
        Interested persons may participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
    data, views, or arguments in writing to the Bureau of Prisons, 320 
    First Street, NW., HOLC Room 754, Washington, DC 20534. Comments 
    received on the interim rule provisions during the comment period will 
    be considered before final action is taken. Comments received on the 
    final rule provisions will be considered but will receive no formal 
    response in the Federal Register. All comments received remain on file 
    for public inspection at the above address.
        The Bureau of Prisons has determined that this rule is not a 
    significant regulatory action for the purpose of E.O. 12866, and 
    accordingly this rule was not reviewed by the Office of Management and 
    Budget. After review of the law and regulations, the Director, Bureau 
    of Prisons has certified that this rule, for the purpose of the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354), does not have a 
    significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    
    List of Subjects in 28 CFR Parts 545 and 550
    
        Prisoners.
    Kathleen M. Hawk,
    Director, Bureau of Prisons.
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the rulemaking authority vested in the 
    Attorney General in 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and delegated to the Director, 
    Bureau of Prisons in 28 CFR 0.96(p), parts 545 and 550 in subchapter C 
    of 28 CFR, chapter V are amended as set forth below.
    
    SUBCHAPTER C--INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT
    
    PART 550--DRUG PROGRAMS
    
        1. The authority citation for 28 CFR part 550 is added to read as 
    follows, and all other authority citations within the part are removed:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 3621, 3622, 3624, 4001, 4042, 
    4081, 4082 (Repealed in part as to offenses committed on or after 
    November 1, 1987), 4251-4255, 5006-5024 (repealed October 12, 1984 
    as to conduct occurring after that date), 5039; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510; 
    28 CFR 0.95-0.99.
    
        2. Subpart F, consisting of Secs. 550.50 and 550.51, is revised to 
    consist of Secs. 550.50 through 550.58 as follows:
    
    Subpart F--Drug Abuse Treatment Programs
    
    Sec.
    550.50  Purpose and scope.
    550.51  Institution organization/staff roles and responsibilities.
    550.52  Admission and Orientation program.
    550.53  Screening and referral.
    550.54  Requirements for drug abuse education course.
    550.55  Institution residential drug abuse treatment program.
    550.56  Incentives for residential drug abuse treatment program 
    participation.
    550.57  Non-residential drug abuse treatment program.
    550.58  Transitional services.
    
    Subpart F--Drug Abuse Treatment Programs
    
    
    Sec. 550.50   Purpose and scope.
    
        The Bureau of Prisons provides, to the extent practicable, 
    appropriate drug abuse treatment programs to inmates.
    
    
    Sec. 550.51   Institutional organization/staff roles and 
    responsibilities.
    
        (a) Drug Abuse Treatment Coordinator. The Warden shall designate a 
    drug abuse treatment coordinator for his/her institution.
        (b) Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist. All institutions shall employ 
    a drug abuse treatment specialist. The drug abuse treatment specialist 
    is responsible for providing drug abuse education and non-residential 
    drug abuse treatment services to the inmate population, under the 
    supervision of the drug abuse treatment coordinator. In institutions 
    with residential drug abuse treatment programs, additional drug abuse 
    treatment specialist staff are employed to provide treatment services 
    on the residential drug abuse treatment unit.
    
    
    Sec. 550.52   Admission and Orientation program.
    
        Drug abuse treatment coordinators at all institutions shall ensure 
    that inmates are informed about local and Bureau-wide drug abuse 
    programming and treatment opportunities during the Admission and 
    Orientation program.
    
    
    Sec. 550.53   Screening and referral.
    
        A psychologist or drug abuse treatment specialist shall interview 
    all new institution admissions for drug abuse problems. A record review 
    will be performed by a case manager in the normal course of his/her 
    duties. Based on these reviews and interviews, drug abuse treatment 
    staff shall make an appropriate drug education/treatment referral.
    
    
    Sec. 550.54   Requirements for drug abuse education course.
    
        (a)(1) Mandatory participation. An inmate is required to 
    participate in the drug abuse education course if he/she has been 
    sentenced or returned to custody as a violator after September 30, 1991 
    and it is determined by unit and/or drug abuse treatment staff through 
    a combination of interview and file review that:
        (i) There is evidence in the Presentence Investigation that alcohol 
    or other drug use contributed to the commission of the instant offense;
        (ii) Alcohol or other drug use was a reason for violation either of 
    supervised release, including parole, or BOP community status (CCC 
    placement) for which the inmate is now incarcerated; or
        (iii) The inmate was recommended for drug programming during 
    incarceration by the sentencing judge.
        (2) Voluntary participation. Inmates who are not required by 
    paragraph (a)(1) of this section to participate in the drug abuse 
    education course may request to participate voluntarily in the drug 
    abuse education course when participant space is available. Volunteers 
    must have the approval of the drug abuse treatment coordinator. 
    Priority consideration shall be given to those inmates whose 
    participation has been recommended by unit or treatment staff.
        (b) Sanctions. An inmate who is required by paragraph (a)(1) of 
    this section to participate in the drug abuse education course and who 
    refuses participation, withdraws, is expelled, or otherwise fails to 
    meet the attendance and examination requirements shall be held at the 
    lowest pay grade (Grade 4) within the institution and shall be 
    ineligible for community programs. Inmates may be permitted to receive 
    work promotions during their participation or while on a ``waiting 
    list'' for the drug abuse education course. The Warden may make 
    exceptions to the provisions of this paragraph for good cause with 
    reasons for such exceptions documented in writing.
        (c) Exemptions. An inmate may be exempted from the required drug 
    abuse education course due to cognitive impairment or other learning 
    disabilities only after evaluation and recommendation by a 
    psychologist. An inmate may also be exempted from the drug abuse 
    education course if that inmate volunteers for, enters and completes a 
    residential drug abuse treatment program or if he/she completes a 
    structured drug abuse treatment program at one of the Bureau of 
    Prisons' Intensive Confinement Centers (ICC).
        (d) Written consent. All inmates who enter the drug abuse education 
    course (whether as mandatory or as voluntary participants) are required 
    to sign an agreement to participate prior to admission to the course.
        (e) Completion. Completion of the drug abuse education course 
    requires attendance and participation during course sessions and a 
    passing grade on an examination given at the end of the course. Inmates 
    required to participate in this course ordinarily are provided at least 
    three chances to pass the final examination before privileges are lost 
    or sanctions (see paragraph (b) of this section) are invoked. A 
    certificate of achievement will be awarded to all who successfully 
    complete the program. A copy of this certificate will be forwarded to 
    the unit team for placement in the inmate's central file.
    
    
    Sec. 550.55  Institution residential drug abuse treatment program.
    
        Residential drug abuse treatment is available at selected Bureau of 
    Prisons institutions. It is an intensive, unit-based treatment 
    experience provided by a team of drug abuse treatment specialists and 
    the drug abuse treatment coordinator.
        (a) Eligibility. The following criteria must be met for an inmate 
    to be recommended and/or approved for the residential drug abuse 
    treatment program.
        (1) The inmate must have a documented drug abuse problem.
        (2) The inmate must have no serious mental impairment which would 
    substantially interfere with or preclude full participation in the 
    program.
        (3) The inmate must sign an agreement acknowledging his/her program 
    responsibility.
        (4) Ordinarily, the inmate must be within thirty-six months of 
    release.
        (5) The security level of the residential program institution must 
    be appropriate for the inmate.
        (b) Application/Referral/Placement. Participation in the 
    residential drug abuse treatment program is voluntary. An inmate may be 
    referred for treatment by unit and/or drug treatment staff or apply for 
    the program by submitting a request to a staff member (ordinarily, a 
    member of the inmate's unit team or the drug abuse treatment 
    coordinator). The decision on placement is made by the drug abuse 
    treatment coordinator.
        (c) Withdrawal/expulsion. An inmate may withdraw voluntarily from 
    the program. The drug abuse treatment coordinator may remove an inmate 
    from the program based upon disruptive or negative behavior. Withdrawal 
    or removal from the residential program may result in the inmate's 
    being returned to his/her prior institution (when the inmate had been 
    specifically transferred for the purpose of program participation) and/
    or return of tangible incentives previously achieved.
    
    
    Sec. 550.56   Incentives for residential drug abuse treatment program 
    participation.
    
        (a) An inmate may receive incentives for his or her satisfactory 
    involvement in the residential program. These incentives may include, 
    but are not limited to, the following.
        (1) Limited financial awards, based upon the inmate's achievement/
    completion of program phases.
        (2) Consideration for the maximum period of time (currently 180 
    days) in a Community Corrections Center placement, provided the inmate 
    is otherwise eligible for this designation.
        (3) Local institution incentives such as preferred living quarters 
    or special recognition privileges.
        (b) An inmate must meet his/her financial program responsibility 
    obligations (see 28 CFR part 545) prior to being able to receive an 
    incentive for his/her residential program participation.
    
    
    Sec. 550.57   Non-residential drug abuse treatment program.
    
        Non-residential drug abuse treatment is provided at all 
    institutions and ordinarily consists of individual and/or group 
    counseling and self-help programming provided through the institution's 
    Psychology Services department.
        (a) Eligibility. The following criteria must be met for an inmate 
    to be recommended or approved for a non-residential drug abuse 
    treatment program.
        (1) The inmate must have a documented drug abuse problem.
        (2) The inmate must have no serious mental impairment which would 
    substantially interfere with or preclude full participation in the 
    program.
        (3) The inmate must sign an agreement acknowledging his/her program 
    responsibility.
        (b) Application/Referral/Placement. Participation in the non-
    residential drug abuse treatment program is voluntary. An inmate may be 
    referred for treatment by unit and/or drug treatment staff or may apply 
    for these programs by submitting a request to a staff member 
    (ordinarily, a member of the inmate's unit team or the drug abuse 
    treatment coordinator). The decision on placement is made by the drug 
    abuse treatment coordinator.
        (c) Withdrawal/expulsion. An inmate may withdraw voluntarily from 
    the program. The drug abuse treatment coordinator may remove an inmate 
    from the program based upon disruptive or negative behavior.
    
    
    Sec. 550.58   Transitional services.
    
        (a) Transitional treatment programming is required for all inmates 
    completing an institution's residential treatment program. Transitional 
    treatment includes treatment provided to inmates who, upon completing 
    the residential program, return to the general population of that or 
    another institution. An inmate's refusal to participate in this program 
    is considered a program failure and disqualifies the inmate for any 
    additional incentives consideration, and may result in the inmate's 
    redesignation.
        (b) An inmate who successfully completes a residential drug abuse 
    program and who, based on eligibility, is transferred to a Community 
    Corrections Center (CCC), is required to participate in a community-
    based treatment program each week, in addition to the required 
    employment and other program activities of the CCC. The inmate's 
    failure to meet the requirements of treatment may result in the 
    inmate's being returned to the institution for refusing a program 
    assignment.
        (c) Staff may offer an inmate who has not been involved in the 
    institution's drug abuse treatment program the opportunity to become 
    involved in the transitional drug treatment program as part of the 
    inmate's CCC placement. In addition, with the drug abuse treatment 
    coordinator's approval, an inmate may volunteer and be accepted for 
    transitional drug treatment programming.
        3. The authority citation for 28 CFR part 545 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 3013, 3571, 3572, 3621, 3622, 
    3624, 3663, 4001, 4042, 4081, 4082 (Repealed in part as to offenses 
    committed on or after November 1, 1987), 4126, 5006-5024 (Repealed 
    October 12, 1984 as to offenses committed after that date), 5039; 28 
    U.S.C. 509, 510; 28 CFR 0.95-0.99.
    
        4. In Sec. 545.11, a new paragraph (d)(11) is added to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 545.11   Procedures.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) * * *
        (11) The inmate will not receive an incentive for participation in 
    residential drug treatment programs.
    
    [FR Doc. 94-26111 Filed 10-20-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4410-05-P 
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/21/1994
Published:
10/21/1994
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Final and interim rules.
Document Number:
94-26111
Dates:
Effective November 21, 1994; comments on interim provisions in Secs. 550.55(a) and 550.57(a) are due December 20, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: October 21, 1994