Article 29 - Social Services and Counseling - Department Operations Manual (DOM)

The Department shall provide a range of individual counseling and social services designed to meet the casework and program needs of inmates.

This section establishes objectives to ensure the maximum constructive impact of correctional staff on inmates within the correctional setting.

Social services are programs or activities designed to assist inmates in their adjustment to institution living or to educate and provide skill training to prepare the individual for return to the community.

Each Warden shall establish and maintain counseling and social service programs in conjunction with inmate classification procedures and individual program or casework needs.
The program shall be administered by a staff member preferably at the associate Warden level.
All institution personnel shall be familiar with social services available at their facility and shall inform inmates of available services when appropriate.
Correctional counselors shall provide needed casework services which may be augmented by volunteer community resources as detailed in DOMDepartment Operations Manual 31040, Volunteers.

Every inmate committed to the Department shall be assigned to the caseload of a Correctional Counselor upon reception.
Inmates shall be provided an orientation to the Department which shall include information related to the:
- CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations (15) (3).
- CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations (15) (2) BPT Rules.
- Available institution social services.
- The work incentive program.

Every inmate shall be assigned to the caseload of a Correctional Counselor upon arrival at the receiving institution.
Correctional counselors shall qualify, by experience and education, to provide individual and group counseling services, as needed.
The Correctional Counselor shall be available for scheduled individual interviews and shall provide for a regularly scheduled “open line.” Inmates may request scheduled interviews by “Request for Interview” forms or through contact at “open line.” Counselors may ducat inmates from their assignments to facilitate necessary casework contacts when such contacts cannot be reasonably made during the inmate’s off-time hours including the inmate’s regular days off. (Refer to DOMDepartment Operations Manual 53130, IW/TIP) The assigned counselor shall monitor the inmate’s participation in program activity considering mutually established goals.
Social services provided shall include but not be limited to:
- Program development and evaluation.
- Institution adjustment.
- Parole planning.
- Interpersonal relationships.
- Family planning.
- Marital, family relationships.
- Parental education.
- Substance abuse.
- Crisis intervention.
- Assessment of special needs.
- Referral to available academic, vocational, religious, recreational, work and community programs.

For additional information, refer to DOMDepartment Operations Manual 31040, Volunteers; DOMDepartment Operations Manual 53020, Inmate Activity Groups; and DOMDepartment Operations Manual 53130, IW/TIP.

The Deputy Director, Institutions Division, or designee shall ensure that the content of this section is current and accurate.

Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations