U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons

United States Penitentiary - Administrative Maximum

Florence, Colorado 81226

June 17, 2013

The Honorable Barbara Boxer
United States Senate
Attention: Rachel Rolnicki
70 Washington Street, Suite 203
Oakland, CA 94607

RE: PINSON, Jeremy
Reg. No. 16267-064

Dear Senator Boxer:

This is in response to your letter dated June 5, 2013, to the Bureau of Prisons regarding Jeremy Pinson, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary - Administrative Maximum (ADX) in Florence, Colorado. In your letter, you request to know the status of Mr. Pinson's referral to a mental health treatment program, as well as information regarding his concern about not obtaining mental health care.

Inmate Pinson was sentenced on April 2, 2007, in the Western District of Oklahoma to serve a 60-month term with 3 years Supervised Release for Making Threats Against the President, and a 180-month term with 2 years Supervised Release for Making False Statements and Threats to a Juror. On December 8, 2008, he was sentenced again in the Southern District of Texas to a 24-month term with 3 years Supervised Release for Mailing Threatening Communications. He arrived at ADX Florence on February 25, 2011, and has a projected release date of October 15, 2025, via Good Conduct Time Release.

The ADX Psychology Department has been working closely with Mr. Pinson to address his mental health needs. His care has included private treatment sessions and brief weekly cell-front check-ins by a psychologist, in addition to routine consultations with a psychiatrist via videoconferencing. In recent months, Mr. Pinson requested that the ADX Psychology Department refer him for specific treatment for symptoms indicative of an Axis II personality disorder. After a clinical interview on February 26, 2013, the referral process was initiated. On April 11, 2013, Mr. Pinson was given the opportunity to review the referral document and provided his verbal approval. It was also during this interaction that he was alerted to the referral process which includes review at multiple levels, clear conduct, and participation in pre-treatment activities prior to acceptance and transfer.

At the present time, Mr. Pinson's case is undergoing review by the Steps Toward Awareness, Growth, and Emotional Strength (STAGES) program coordinators for appropriateness and availability. Unfortunately, the lengthy process required is variable and greatly depends upon available space and formation of the group. In order for a treatment group to be successful, it is imperative that the members be carefully prescreened for compatibility and the group be limited in size.

Finally, due to safety and security reasons, Mr. Pinson will not be informed in advance, if he has been approved for the program and if/when he will be transferred. If the STAGES coordinators deem his case inappropriate for the program, he will be advised accordingly and will be afforded the opportunity to reevaluate his situation with a psychologist. At that time, a new treatment plan and strategy will be considered.

I trust this information addresses your concerns. Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

D. Berkebile
Complex Warden