NCJ Number
187330
Date Published
2001
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This document presents the text of part of a settlement agreement between private plaintiffs, the Department of Justice, and the State of Louisiana in the case of Williams v. McKeithen; the selected text focuses on medical, dental, and mental health services in secure juvenile facilities.
Abstract
The agreement specifies that the State shall enter into a 3-year contractual relationship with a specific mental health provider organization starting July 1, 2000. The provider will furnish medical, mental health, and dental services for two facilities, as well as quality assurance and monitoring services for other secure juvenile facilities in Louisiana. The provider will also furnish adolescent behavioral and mental health training in the entire secure juvenile system and will develop a plan for a comprehensive medical, mental health, and dental program at all the facilities. The provider will develop an individualized mental health treatment plan for all juvenile offenders with serious mental illness within 30 days of intake. The agreement also limits the use of medical or mental health restraints, requires adequate staff supervision for suicide watch, and requires aftercare planning for all juveniles receiving the provider’s services and being released. The agreement also specifies that juveniles shall not receive disciplinary reports for refusing to take mental health tests, for refusing to take psychotropic medications, or for suicidal behaviors. Other provisions relate to drug treatment, assessment and treatment of youths who have experienced physical or sexual abuse from other youth or staff, and the use of individual intervention plans related to education and other services.