DOC 311.03(8)(8) “Health services staff member” means a physician, registered nurse or physician’s assistant employed by the department.

DOC 311.03(9)(9) “Physician” means an individual licensed as a physician in the state of Wisconsin and employed by the department.

DOC 311.03(10)(10) “Secretary” means the secretary of the department of corrections, or his or her designee.

DOC 311.03(11)(11) “Security director” means the security director of an institution, or his or her designee.

DOC 311.03(12)(12) “Shift captain” means the shift captain of an institution, or his or her designee.

DOC 311.03(13)(13) “Warden” means the warden of an institution, or his or her designee.

DOC 311.03(14)(14) “Working days” means all days except Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.

DOC 311.03 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1998, No. 509, eff. 6-1-98; corrections in (4) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register, May, 1998, No. 509; corrections in (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register June 2011 No. 666.

DOC 311.04(1)(1) Observation for mental health purposes is an involuntary or a voluntary nonpunitive status used for the temporary confinement of an inmate to ensure the safety of the inmate or the safety of others. An inmate may be placed in observation for mental health purposes for one of the following reasons:

DOC 311.04(1)(a)(a) The inmate is mentally ill and dangerous to himself or herself or others.

DOC 311.04(2)(2) An inmate is mentally ill if there is substantial evidence that the inmate has a substantial disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation or memory which grossly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life in an institution, but does not include alcoholism.

DOC 311.04(3)(3) An inmate is dangerous if there is a substantial probability that the inmate will cause physical harm to himself or herself or others as manifested by any of the following:

DOC 311.04(3)(b)(b) The reasonable belief of others that violent behavior and serious physical harm is likely to occur because of a recent overt act, attempt or threat to do such physical harm.

DOC 311.04(3)(c)(c) Serious self-destructive behavior or a threat of such behavior.

DOC 311.04(3)(d)(d) The inability to cope with life in the institution to the degree that himself or herself or others are thereby endangered.

DOC 311.04(4)(4) An inmate may be placed in observation by any of the following:

DOC 311.04(4)(a)(a) A clinician, crisis intervention worker or physician.

DOC 311.04(4)(c)(c) A registered nurse or physician’s assistant, if a person under par. (a) is not available for consultation either directly or by telephone.

DOC 311.04(4)(d)(d) The security director or shift captain if a clinician, crisis intervention worker or physician is not available for consultation either directly or by telephone.

DOC 311.04(5)(5) Any staff member or inmate may recommend to any person authorized to place an inmate in observation that an inmate be placed in observation under sub. (4). The staff member or inmate shall state the reasons for the recommendation and describe the inmate’s conduct that underlies the recommendation.

DOC 311.04(6)(6) At the time of placement the inmate shall be informed orally of the reasons for placement.

DOC 311.04 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1998, No. 509, eff. 6-1-98.

DOC 311.05(1)(1) An inmate placed in observation shall be examined by a clinician, crisis intervention worker or physician. The examination shall include a direct personal evaluation and a review of recent relevant information.

DOC 311.05(2)(2) If an inmate is placed in observation by the warden, registered nurse, physician’s assistant, security director or shift captain, a clinician, crisis intervention worker or physician shall be notified immediately of the placement and shall examine the inmate within 2 working days.