Chapter 6 – Adult Classification

62090.14.1 Procedures

• PCPenal Code 5068 sets forth the basis for the above directives. To this end, the following procedures are established:

  • When existing staff or consulting psychologists or psychiatrists can adequately handle the evaluation workload, counselors shall not prepare clinical evaluations in lieu of the psychiatric evaluations.

  • Counselors who are to prepare clinical evaluations shall be selected on the basis of their:

    • Special interest in this type of work.

    • Having two years of graduate training and experience in the treatment or evaluation of emotionally disturbed individuals. If the two years of training is primarily academic, supervised field work is highly desired.

    • Where appropriate, a psychiatric council shall be established to review such evaluations prepared by counselors.

    • The council shall be composed of the institution’s chief or program psychiatrist/consulting psychiatrist (chairperson), a clinical psychologist, a captain or CCCorrectional Counselor-III and the counselor who prepared the evaluation.

    • Custodial personnel who are familiar with the inmate’s behavior and attitude may also be included on the council.

    • The psychiatric council has final responsibility for the accuracy and quality of the report.

    • If the report is accepted, it shall list the names of the council and be signed by the council’s psychiatrist.

• Supplemental Findings

  • If the council determines there are supplemental findings or recommendations, they shall be added below the counselor’s signature and endorsed by the council, as above.

  • If there is a difference in the findings of the counselor and the council, the council shall set forth the reasons for their difference of opinion before endorsing the counselor’s report.

  • The report shall retain the clinical evaluation title unless the psychiatrist personally interviews the inmate.

  • After the inmate has been interviewed, the report may be retitled a psychiatric evaluation and signed by the psychiatrist or psychologist.

  • The council shall make every effort to interview the inmate when the report is reviewed. Every effort shall be made to maximize the number of inmate interviews to ensure these evaluations reflect the observations of our most highly trained professional personnel.

  • Graduate students working towards a doctorate degree in psychology and CCCorrectional Counselor-IIs who are working towards becoming qualified to prepare clinical evaluations for the Board, may prepare such reports under the direct supervision of a licensed staff psychologist or a Board certified psychiatrist.

  • Evaluations prepared by students and trainees shall be signed by the student/trainee.

  • The evaluation shall be approved and endorsed by a staff psychologist, psychiatrist, or the psychiatric council.