Oct. 10, 2013

Suicide Watch:

See attached grievance.

NOTE: Washington State Penitentiary still covers suicide watch cell windows as of Sept. 2013.

Always,

[signature]

I WANT TO APPEAL: DOC is not supposed to create unhealthy and unsafe environments, but WSP is doing just that by covering the suicide watch cell windows. They claim it's policy yet I cannot find a policy for window coverings and no communication on the COU. Again, I had chest pains and was ignored due to [redacted] order to not talk to me. I almost pissed myself to custody and mental health are responsible for keeping me safe and not ignoring my calls for help. And to reduce visibility on suicide watch is just reckless. It causes stress, creates a blind spot and allows staff to ignore me because I can't tell who's there and who's not. I feel like a caged animal stuffed in the corner. The "Conditions of Confinement" Form does not have a reduced stimuli section. Why am I treated so bad at WSP? Isn't the COU supposed to encourage visibility, communication, and help me calm down and get it together? So why all the abuse?

SUGGESTED REMEDY: Put a stop to window covering on the COU for any reason.

I reviewed your initial grievance as well as all appeals and responses.

DOC Director of Mental Health, [redacted], reviewed this grievance and provided this response:

I reviewed your Level I and II grievance, the investigation, and the responses. I have read your Level III appeal.

The mental health provider is responsible for the conditions of confinement in the close observation area. If they determine that you are communicating with other offenders via the window, and this is detrimental to your mental health, then they can have the window covered. The close observation area is supposed to be a low stimulation area. Unfortunately the WSP close observation was designed with cells directly across from one another. This has resulted in instances of increased stimulation due to offenders communicating with one another. If the mental health staff determine that this is counterproductive to treatment, then the windows can be blocked. Your window will not be blocked if you follow the directives of the staff.