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DEPARTMENT
OF
CORRECTION
DIRECTIVE NUMBER:
401.06.03.059.01
PAGE NUMBER:
1 of 2
SUBJECT:
Eye Examinations
Adopted: 06-01-95
Revised: 06-03-99
Reformatted: 02-2001
INSTITUTIONAL
SERVICES
DIVISION
01.00.00. POLICY OF THE DEPARTMENT
It is the policy of the Idaho Board of Correction that the Department of Correction
ensure proper medical, dental, psychiatric and psychological services and treatment be
provided to inmates incarcerated under its jurisdiction, including those state -sentenced
offenders held in non-IDOC facilities.
02.00.00. TABLE OF CONTENTS
01.00.00. POLICY OF THE DEPARTMENT
02.00.00. TABLE OF CONTENTS
03.00.00. REFERENCES
04.00.00. DEFINITIONS
05.00.00. PROCEDURE
03.00.00. REFERENCES
Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions, Third Edition, Standards 3 -4343, 3-4344,
3-4360.
Standards for Health Services in Prisons, P -59.
04.00.00. DEFINITIONS
Facility Health Authority: The on-site Health Authority or senior health staff assigned.
Medical Authority: Idaho Department of Correction Health Services Chief.
Medical Director: A physician (M.D.) either employed by the Idaho Department of
Correction or the physician in charge if medical services are privatized.
Regional Health Manager: The individual assigned as the primary manager who is
administratively responsible for the delivery of medical services if health services are
privatized.
05.00.00. PROCEDU RE
Optometric examinations shall be done when the health of an inmate would otherwise
be adversely affected.
DIRECTIVE NUMBER:
401.06.03.059.01
SUBJECT:
Eye Examinations
PAGE NUMBER:
2 of 2
The need for frequent eye care shall be determined by the Medical Director,
Regional Health Manager, and the institution optometrist in conjunction with the
Facility Health Authority.
When visual correction is needed, it shall be the responsibility of the contract medical
provider to provide exam and corrective eye wear (glasses).
“Timers” wearing of contact lenses while incarcerated with the Idaho Department
of Correction is generally prohibited.
Contact lenses are easily lost.
The potential for serious injury to the eye is greatly increased if tear gas or other
chemical agent is used during disturbances in prisons.
When and if there is a need for contact lenses for the “timer” inmate, the
determination to allow this medical eye wear shall be the decision of the Medical
Director, the Medical Authority, and the consultant ophthalmologist.
Ordinarily, the only eye condition which requires a need for the wearing of
contact lenses is keratoconus.
The North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI), the Pocatello Women’s
Correctional Center (PWCC), and the Community Work Center (CWC) inm ates
under the 120 jurisdiction program are permitted to retain and wear contacts if
approved by the facility head.
Replacement of lost or destroyed lenses will be the inmate’s responsibility.
Further, all solutions and kits for cleansing, disinfecting, s oaking and
storing will be at the inmate’s expense.
The IDOC Medical Authority will have the final decision in case of dispute.
Replacement of lost or broken glasses will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
The IDOC Medical Authority will have final decision in cases of dispute.
If an inmate is within 90 days of parole or release, no exam or correction is approved.
___________________________________________ _____________________
Administrator, Institutional Services Division Date