Policies re: mentally ill inmate custody/treatment/transfer to mental health facilities

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act ("FOAA"), I hereby request the following records:

All policies regarding the custody/transfer/treatment of a potentially mentally ill inmate at a county correctional facility to an appropriate mental health facility or treatment center. Please include, but do not limit your response, to policies regarding:

• Procedural dictates
• Care while in the county facility
• Evaluations of the inmate's mental health
• Procedures regarding transfer post-diagnosis
• Inmate option post-diagnosis

Please include all similar policies, should they differ from the above, for those held in custody who have not yet:

• been charged with a crime
• stood trial
• been transferred despite diagnosis

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by 1 M.R.S.A. § 408(6). The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Beryl C.D. Lipton