Policy Text
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/ 08, All Rights
Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Clara
County Sheriff's Office Access to Health Care - 1 Policy
701 Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Custody Manual
Access to Health Care
701.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The provision of adequate health services in a custody setting is a constitutional right afforded to
all incarcerated persons. The purpose of this policy is to provide Custody Staff with a process to
inform newly booked incarcerated persons of the procedur e to access health care services and
how to use the grievance system, if necessary.
701.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office to ensure appropriate medical health
services are provided to all incarcerated persons regardless of age, race, color, national origin,
ancestry, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, political beliefs,
organizational affiliations, or marital status.
The Office will work with Adult Custody Health Services to provide medical, dental and mental health services as necessary to maintain the health and well -being of incarcerated persons to a
reasonable and socially acceptable standard (15 CCR 1200 et seq.; 15 CCR 1208).
701.3 ACCESS TO CARE
Health care services will be made available to incarcerated persons from the time of admission
until they are released. Custody Staff are responsible for providing incarcerated persons with
information and guidance on accessing health care services (e.g., providing handbook, explaining
sick call process and making sick call forms available). Timely access to services will be provided
within seven days of the request. Information regarding how to contact medical will be posted
in all incarcerated persons housing areas (15 CCR 1200 et seq.; 15 CCR 1208). Medications
and community health resources and referrals may be provided when the incarcerated person is
released in accordance with ACHS policies and protocols.
Unreasonable barriers shall not be placed on an incarcerated person's ability to access health services. Health care that is necessary during the period of confinement shall be provided
regardless of an incarcerated person's ability to pay, the size of the facility, or the duration of the
incarcerated person's incarceration. Such unreasonable barriers include:
• Punishing incarcerated persons for seeking care for their health needs.
• Deterring incarcerated persons from seeking care for their health needs by scheduling
sick call at unreasonable times.
All routine requests for medical attention shall be promptly routed to ACHS staff.
701.4 HEALTH CARE GRIEVANCES
Custody Staff should authorize and encourage resolution of incarcerated person complaints and
requests on an informal basis whenever possible.
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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/ 08, All Rights
Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Clara
County Sheriff's Office Access to Health Care - 2 Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Custody Manual
Access to Health Care
Incarcerated persons will be informed of the grievance process during incarcerated person
orientation. Information regarding the grievance process is contained in the Incarcerated Person
Handbook. The Incarcerated Person Handbook and grievance forms are available in three
languages (English, Spanish, Vietnamese) and through the tablet in numerous languages.
Grievances will be handled in accordance with the Grievances Policy (15 CCR 1073(a)).
Incarcerated persons are encouraged to file grievances electronically through the tablet; however,
paper grievances are available and can be placed in a secured lock box, which are in each housing
unit. Housing unit staff are responsible for ensuring a reasonable supply of grievance forms are available in each housing unit.
701.5 POLICY REVIEW
This policy shall be reviewed at least once every two years.
701.6 POLICY TRACKING
Date of Origin 1/30/2024
Review Date 10/09/2026
Revision Date
Date Approved 10/09/2024
Effective Date 10/09/2024
Supersedes NEW POLICY
References DOC Policy Manual 12.01, 15 CCR 1200, 15 CCR
1208, 15 CCR 1073 (a)
Regulatory Authority 15 CCR 1200
Signature of Issuing Authority
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