SECTION 1. Chapter 127 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding after

Section 32 the following new section:—

Section 32A. TREATMENT OF EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED PRISONERS

(A) Prohibitions Concerning Intervention for Suicide Attempts and Self-Mutilation

(1) A prisoner who either commits self-mutilation or attempts suicide shall not be disciplined

or punished for such behavior, nor shall the prisoner be segregated or isolated except to the

extent specifically authorized by medical staff for treatment. The use of “closed solid door

isolation,” so-called, to punish or manage suicidal or self-mutilating prisoners is specifically

prohibited.

(B) Requirements Concerning Intervention for Suicide Attempts and Self-Mutilation

(1) The commissioner shall require that the following steps be taken to insure appropriate

responses to suicide attempts. Institutional staff will be trained in techniques for responding

to suicide attempts and self-mutilation that ensure the safe and quick extrication of prisoners

who hang themselves and the provision of necessary first aid. A prisoner who commits selfmutilation

or attempts suicide shall immediately receive appropriate medical attention and

shall be interviewed by a licensed mental health professional within twelve hours of the

incident, which interview shall be logged in the inmate’s medical record and in the block log

where the prisoner is located at the time of the interview.