7 FAM 460
PROLONGED IMPRISONMENT
(CT:CON-804; 04-30-2018)
(Office of Origin: CA/OCS)
7 FAM 461 DEFINITION
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
Generally, prolonged imprisonment implies that the accused
has been tried, convicted and has begun serving the sentence the judicial power
imposed, although appeals may be pending. While your most time-consuming and
effective actions tend to take place before this - during the early arrest,
interrogation, and trial phases - the convicted prisoner should also be
provided with adequate consular support while serving his or her term. Please
note that the guidance in this section pertains only to U.S. prisoners in post-sentence status.
7 FAM 462 CONSULAR REQUIREMENTS
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Your professional obligations during a convicted U.S.
citizen or nationals imprisonment generally include:
(1) Arranging visits with the prisoner on a scheduled
basis consistent with the conditions of imprisonment (See 7 FAM 463.2
below);
(2) Monitoring the prisoners health and mental well
being, taking appropriate action whenever you believe there is reason for
concern;
(3) Administering any ongoing OCS TRUST or EMDA-1
programs. (See 7
FAM 430);
(4) Bringing the prisoner funds, mail, reading
material, etc. as circumstances warrant;
(5) Remaining alert for any signs of mistreatment by
authorities or other prisoners;
(6) Assisting the prisoner in maintaining contact with
his or her attorney, particularly when there is an appeal pending; and
(7) Providing current information on the prisoners
status to family members, congressional inquirers, and the Department,
consistent with Privacy Act.
7 FAM 463 PRISON VISITATION
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
a. Visiting and providing consular protection and
assistance to U.S. citizen or national prisoners is a core ACS function, and is
not discretionary.
b. Article36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular
Relations (VCCR) specifically provides for access to and contact with detained
nationals of the sending states by their consular representatives in the
receiving state. Such authority is also found in bilateral consular
conventions and is recognized as customary international law.
FYI: The more general provisions in Articles 5, 37(a) and
(b) of the VCCR may also be relevant to the protection of prisoners.
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7 FAM 463.1 Purpose Of Visits
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
In addition to directly providing assistance and protection
to individual incarcerated U.S. citizens, prison visits serve important
collateral purposes:
(1) Impressing upon the host government, and prison
authorities the importance the Department places on the welfare of our citizens
abroad, even those convicted of a crime;
(2) Permitting reporting first-hand information and
observations to family members, congressional inquirers and the Department,
consistent with Privacy Act; and
(3) Possible discovery of other imprisoned U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, whose detention was not previously known to the
post.
7 FAM 463.2 Frequency Of Visits
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
The Department has the discretion to determine the conduct
and frequency of prison visits. The following guidance relates only to
post-sentencing prison visits. Guidance pertaining to initial and pre-trial
visits is contained in 7 FAM 430.
7 FAM 463.2-1 General Standard
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Each U.S. citizen prisoner in post-sentence detention must
be visited not less than semi-annually that is, visits not more than six
months apart.
7 FAM 463.2-2 More Frequent
Visits
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
The general policy outlined above in no way limits the
discretion of a post to conduct more frequent visits where warranted. While a
schedule of more frequent visits is left to posts discretion, they generally
should occur whenever:
(1) There is reasonable concern about the prisoners
health or mental well-being;
(2) There is a reasonable concern over possible abuse
by prison authorities or other inmates;
(3) There has been a recent incident at the prison,
such as a riot, strike, lock-down, etc;
(4) The semi-annual visit is inadequate for the necessary
delivery of funds, dietary supplements, reading materials, etc., and there are
no practical alternatives; and
(5) The Department, after consultations with post,
directs a more frequent visit schedule.
7 FAM 463.2-3 Less Frequent
Visits
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
You may apply to the Department for permission to visit a
prisoner in post-sentence status annually, supplemented by a semi-annual
telephone call in lieu of the second visit. These exceptions are on a
case-by-case basis, and will only be considered under the following
circumstances:
(1) The standards of care (food, clothing, medical
attention) are high;
(2) The distance to the prison from post (stated in
both distance and time) is significant;
(3) The prisoner is consulted in advance and does not
object to an annual visit supplemented by a semi-annual telephone call;
(4) The prisoners statement of no objection must be
in writing, with a signed copy made part of the case file at post; and
(5) The statement must include the fact that the prisoner
understands he or she can revoke the no objection at any time, and return to
a semi-annual visit schedule.
7 FAM 463.2-4 Prisoners Not
Wishing Visits
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
Department believes that prisoners who do not wish to be
visited should generally have their wishes respected.
(1) Determine to your satisfaction that a prisoner
really does not wish to be visited. You should try to get confirmation of this
directly from the prisoner.
(2) Report the circumstances to the Department
(CA/OCS/ACS).
(3) Monitor the prisoners welfare as best you can by
checking with prison officials or asking other US citizen prisoners during your
routine visits to the prison.
(4) If subsequent events indicate that the prisoner
has changed this decision, or that over-riding considerations may make an
interview necessary, you should not hesitate to ask to see the prisoner.
7 FAM 463.3 Persons Authorized To
Conduct Visits
7 FAM 463.3-1 Background
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
The Department believes there is generally no detrimental
effect if U.S. citizen or national prisoners in post-sentencing status are
visited regularly by a Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff), a consular or
professional associate, a consular agent, or even a non-consular officer,
instead of a consular officer, as long as the visit is under consular guidance.
(1) Such visits are often more consistent with the
caseworker approach the Department advocates as being the most beneficial to
U.S. prisoners.
(2) Prisoners with family in country, particularly
dual-national prisoners generally do not need personal access specifically to a
consular office.
(3) Long term prisoners who are settled in their
environment often prefer visits by a known person to visits by a series of
unfamiliar consular officers.
(4) Caseworkers who see a prisoner on a regular basis
over the long term are in the best position to assess well-being, and to take
note of any apparent deterioration in mental or physical health.
(5) This flexibility may enhance consular mangers
ability to better tailor prison visits to posts and the prisoners actual
circumstances.
7 FAM 463.3-2 Policy
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Consular officers are authorized to arrange for prison
visits to U.S. citizen prisoners by any of the following post employees
provided the subject employee operates under the direction of and is subject to
the supervision of a consular officer, and local authorities have no
objections.
(1) LE Staff: Normally this should be a consular LE Staff
with arrest case experience, although a non-consular LE Staff can be used if
circumstances warrant and sufficient supervision and guidance is exercised.
(2) Consular & Professional Associates.
(3) Consular Agents.
(4) Other Officers: Officers from other sections and
agencies may conduct prison visits in remote locations while on other official
business, provided the prison visit is conducted under the guidance of and
pursuant to the general instructions of a consular officer.
7 FAM 463.3-3 Preliminary Actions
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Under the VCCR, only consular officers have the right to
make prison visits. However, this does not preclude host states from
permitting other members of the mission from performing such functions. Before
sending a non-consular officer to conduct prison visits, you should:
(1) Review the employees official status in the host
country;
Generally, the absence of privileges and immunities (if
using a LE Staff, etc.) are not a concern in the context of basic prison
visits. Be mindful, however, that employees without testimonial immunity
could be compelled to testify about their conversations with prisoners.
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(2) Seek the express permission of host government
authorities if in your opinion this seems necessary or prudent;
(3) Brief the person making the visit on prison
procedures, individual cases, actions to take and observations to make;
(4) Be sure the person understands the provisions of
the Privacy Act; and
(5) Make it clear that information they gain from
conversing with prisoners must be treated as protected and shared only with
those at post and in the Department on a need-to-know basis.
(6) Make sure they know reporting procedures in the
ACS system.
7 FAM 463.3-4 Private Persons
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
Visits to prisoners by private persons, including U.S.
citizens resident in the host country, are beneficial and should be encouraged
if the prisoner is amenable. You cannot substitute such visits, however, for
the semi-annual visit by a consular officer or one of the post employees listed
above.
7 FAM 463.3-5 Mandatory Consular
Officer Visits
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
You must personally conduct a post-sentencing prison visit:
(1) Where mistreatment or a violation of rights is
alleged or apparent;
(2) Where the case is high profile or controversial;
(3) When specifically asked to visit by the prisoner
or by the prisoners family; and
(4) When directed to do so by the Department.
7 FAM 463.3-6 Video
Teleconference Visits
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
New technologies are now available that may assist posts
in reaching out to incarcerated U.S. citizens. Video conferencing, for
example, may be a useful resource in communicating with prisoners in remote
locations far from posts when permitted by the host country. Posts interested
in availing themselves of these technologies in fulfillment of the requirement
of prison visits should contact their CA/OCS/ACS desk officer.
7 FAM 464 PRISONER HEALTH
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
It is critical that you actively monitor the ongoing health,
including mental health, of U.S. prisoners during the entire period of
incarceration.
7 FAM 464.1 Medical Care
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
The provision of adequate medical care is a recognized and
essential responsibility of the imprisoning authority. However, national
standards of medical care vary greatly from country to country.
(1) A level of care considered acceptable by local
standards may be woefully inadequate by U.S. standards.
FYI: You may want to consult with the RMO or your panel
physicians on possible actions to take, and to obtain their recommendations
for a local doctor, particularly if the medical condition seems to warrant a
specialist.
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(2) Prison authorities may not be able to provide the
same care available outside in the local community.
(3) While you should insist whenever possible that the
imprisoning authorities meet their medical responsibilities, in many instances
this may be impossible or futile.
7 FAM 464.1-1 Consular Actions
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Your first responsibility is to the prisoner. If you
believe that internal medical resources are nonexistent or inadequate, seek
outside resources to meet medical needs of prisoners.
(1) Request prison authorities to bring in competent
medical help from the outside.
(2) If the medical condition seems chronic, you should
ask the prisoner to consider sharing his or her prior medical history to assist
whoever takes on the prisoners care.
(3) If the prison has a hospital or clinic, try to get
the prisoner admitted.
Note: Prison authorities may be reluctant to hospitalize
prisoners because of past experience with prisoners feigning or exaggerating
illness. Your insistence that a U.S. citizen prisoner be hospitalized until
an adequate professional diagnosis is made will often make the critical
difference.
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(4) If prison medical facilities are nonexistent or
inadequate, press authorities to relocate the prisoner under guard to a local
hospital or clinic.
(5) Bear in mind that prisoners are known to feign or
exaggerate illness in order to relocate to a hospital where life is easier, or
escape more possible.
(6) Do not offer any guarantees regarding the
prisoners actions or behavior. It is the responsibility of the host
government to provide, and pay for, adequate security for any prisoner in, or
being transported to or from, a hospital or clinic.
7 FAM 464.2 Dental Care
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
Even prisons that provide an adequate level of medical
services may have little or no dental care available to prisoners.
(1) While dental care may not seem important or
relevant to the incarcerating authorities, there is a growing body of research
that indicates dental problems, particularly those involving possible
infection, may be the precursors or symptoms of more serious illness.
(2) Generally, you should assist a prisoner with
dental complaints or pain as you would one requiring medical attention, and
take the steps above that seem appropriate.
(3) This normally does not include purely cosmetic
dental or orthodontic work, although you may be of reasonable assistance to the
prisoner who is paying, or whose family is paying, for such treatment during
his or her incarceration.
(4) If warranted by local circumstances, try to locate
sources within the local community that will provide toothbrushes, toothpaste,
floss, etc. These relatively inexpensive items can be a major help in
encouraging adequate oral hygiene among prisoners.
7 FAM 464.3 Nutrition
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Many penal systems do not, for various reasons, provide an
adequate, nutritious diet. In these circumstances, you must pay careful
attention to the prisoners health. Should it appear that the prison diet is
chronically inadequate, there are steps you can take:
(1) Try to persuade the responsible prison officials
to improve the diet;
(2) Arrange for contributions of vitamins and minerals
from locally- represented U.S. citizen-owned companies, from the local U.S. citizen community, or from other sources;
(3) Assist prisoners who are the beneficiaries of
OCS/TRUST funds or who have money to purchase supplements;
(4) Have the family or friends of the prisoner send
dietary supplements; and
(5) Utilize the dietary supplement part of the EMDA-I
Program. (See 7
FAM 440).
7 FAM 464.4 Mental Health
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
a. Many of the U.S. citizens imprisoned abroad are
first-time offenders, and others may be serving their first time in prison. As
a result, they will often suffer severe emotional reactions to incarceration.
Even those with previous U.S. prison experience may exhibit severe morale
problems as a result of the alien cultural environment in which they find
themselves.
b. While it is obviously well beyond your ability as a
consular officer to eliminate, or even moderate, the basic causes of this
reaction, there are a number of actions you might take:
(1) Ensure that prisoners are aware of whatever mental
health services might exist at the prison, (visiting psychiatrist or social
worker, group discussions, etc.) and encourage them to participate;
(2) Remind them of the value of exercise in reducing or
managing stress, and encourage them to participate in whatever physical
activities might be available to them;
(3) Emphasize the usefulness of voluntary work programs,
hobbies, correspondence courses, etc. to relieve boredom and reduce depression;
and
(4) Encourage prisoners to stay in touch with family
members back home, and remind family members of the importance to the
prisoners mental well being of letters, phone calls and visits.
7 FAM 465 AMENITIES AND MORALE BOOSTERS
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
There are a number of things you can do, or arrange for
others to do or provide, that will help prisoners maintain an adequate level of
mental health. The suggestions below should be useful, but are by no means
all-inclusive. We encourage you to be creative in your efforts to establish
programs or obtain items that will be beneficial to the U.S. citizen or national prisoners in your district, and to share your concepts with the
Department and other posts.
7 FAM 465.1 Reading Materials
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
Make English language reading material (especially of U.S. origin) such as books, magazines, and newspapers, available to prisoners. This is a
key factor in easing the problems of confinement in an alien society. While
there are no EMDA or other Departmental funds available for this purpose, there
are a wide variety of other sources that you can tap for reading material:
(1) Have family members purchase books or magazine
subscriptions that can be mailed directly to prisoner;
Note: Caution families and prisoners against material
that might be construed as pornographic, inflammatory, or contrary to the
religious beliefs of the host country, and subject to confiscation.
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(2) Set up a drop-box in the consular section and
encourage post staff to contribute used books and periodicals;
(3) If your post already has a Swap Library work
with your CLO to obtain duplicates, older books, etc;
(4) Suggest that officers departing post donate the
remainder of any existing magazine subscriptions;
(5) Talk with American clubs, religious organizations,
etc; and
(6) See if local publishers or booksellers are willing
to donate English-language overstocks or outdated material.
7 FAM 465.2 Holiday Meals
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
U.S. holidays, especially the family-oriented ones, are
particularly difficult emotional periods for U.S. citizen prisoners. A
traditional holiday meal or other small reminders can help.
Ask prison officials if they could prepare and serve a
traditional meal.
See if local American clubs, church groups, charities,
etc. are willing to provide holiday meals or special delicacies.
7 FAM 465.3 Prison Employment
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
In many penal systems, work is available to some or all
prisoners, and can be beneficial to U.S. citizen or national prisoners by
alleviating boredom, increasing socialization, and providing a source of pocket
money or credit.
(1) You should learn what programs exist in prisons
holding U.S. citizen or national prisoners.
(2) Determine that the programs provide some type of
remuneration (small salary, percentage of profits from sale of items, credit at
prisoner store) or count toward reduction of sentence.
(3) Establish that the work is not physically
debilitating or performed under harsh, unhealthy or dangerous conditions.
(4) If appropriate, you may encourage U.S. citizen or national prisoners to participate in such programs.
(5) If feasible, you should also assist U.S. citizen or national prisoners who want to volunteer for programs. In prisons where
the opportunities exist but are limited, your expression of interest may make
the difference with prison authorities.
7 FAM 465.4 Family Visits
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Few things provide a greater emotional boost to the prisoner
than visits by family members, particularly when the family is back in the
United States and visits are infrequent. Normally, you should encourage family
members to visit if possible, and assist them during the visit.
7 FAM 465.4-1 Communicate With
Family In Advance Of The Visit
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
Ask family members to tell you as far in advance as
possible of an impending long-distance visit.
Provide them with oral or written guidance on prison
regulations and what they might reasonably be able to bring to give to the
prisoner.
Take the opportunity to request they bring documents or
information that might be useful now or later in the case (e.g., birth
certificate, old passport, prescriptions for medicine and eyeglasses, medical
record, dental records).
7 FAM 465.4-2 Advise Prison
Authorities In Advance, If Appropriate
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
a. Ask them to ensure the prisoner will be available at
that time.
b. Arrange for an exception if the visit is outside of
normal visiting days or hours.
c. Arrange if possible for a relatively private and
quiet meeting place in the prison.
7 FAM 465.4-3 Assist The Family
Members On Arrival
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
a. Provide reasonable assistance to them as needed in
arranging quarters and transportation.
b. Arrange to meet with them, preferably both before
and after the visit, to exchange information and impressions, and to explain
your role to them.
c. If feasible, consider timing a routine consular
visit so that you might accompany the family members to the prison. This gives
you more time to dialogue, and allows them to better understand the consular
role in arrest cases.
7 FAM 465.5 Education and Training
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Any training or education made available to the prisoner
may do much to alleviate boredom and depression, and even foster skills that
will aid in later rehabilitation and return to society. While there are no
U.S. Government funds available for this purpose, to the extent possible you
should aid and encourage prisoners in pursuing education and training
opportunities.
7 FAM 465.5-1 Language Training
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
A prisoner facing lengthy incarceration in a country where
he or she does not know the language can benefit greatly from language
training. Some possible sources could include:
(1) Prison programs if available, or even books or
audiotapes from the prison library;
(2) Your post language training coordinator may be
able to help locate teachers or training material;
(3) Officers at post, who may have recently emerged
from language training at The Schultz Center (FSI), may be willing to loan or
donate their personal copies of textbooks and audiotapes; and
(4) A dual-national, bilingual U.S. citizen or national prisoner may be willing to conduct informal classes, either gratis
or for a small stipend from fellow prisoners desiring training.
7 FAM 465.5-2 Technical and Trade
Skills
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
Some prison systems do provide various forms of technical or
trade training at little or no cost, often as part of a learn on the job work
program.
7 FAM 465.5-3 Formal Education
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Correspondence courses are often the best resource for
advancing formal education, from earning a GED through secondary and
post-secondary schooling. There are many sources for identifying such courses,
including educational organizations and state universities at the prisoners
legal U.S. residence. Local universities may also have programs for prisoners
including correspondence courses, subject to approval by the host country.
7 FAM 465.6 Mail
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
Letters and packages from home constitute a real lifeline
for many prisoners, and their replies in turn help reassure anxious family members.
Given the importance mail has to the U.S. citizen or national prisoner, and the
potential effects on mental well-being, you should do everything possible to
help ensure a smooth flow of mail between prisoners and their family members:
Your assistance could include:
Make certain that prisoners and particularly family in
the United States know exactly how to address mail to ensure delivery to the
prisoner, and the international postage required;
Caution families that there is generally no assurance
of privacy for mail to and from the prisoner. Many prisons have elaborate
censoring procedures, and most will at least open and examine packages and
envelopes;
FYI: Some countries may severely restrict the personal
effects and literature a prisoner may receive, and may confiscate goods or
materials for local ethical or religious reasons that are often not well
understood by the family members.
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Sometimes mail is inordinately delayed or confiscated
because the prison authorities do not have the capacity to review
correspondence in English. If this problem develops, you may wish to advise
families to try obtaining the services of a certifying translator in the United
States who can attach a copy in the host country language to letters sent to
the prisoner; and
When families are sending mail directly to the prison,
try during your routine visits to determine with the prisoner what mail has
been sent and received, so you can help the family identify letters or parcels
that have gone astray, or have been rifled or confiscated by local authorities.
7 FAM 465.6-1 Receiving Prisoner
Mail At Post
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
a. There are instances when prisons do not offer mail
service, or are delaying or improperly confiscating mail to the point where the
family simply cannot rely on direct mail to the prison.
b. In such limited cases, and assuming there is no
other workable alternative, such as sending mail to the prisoners attorney,
you may make arrangements with family members to send mail for the U.S.
citizen or national prisoner through you under the following conditions and
restrictions:
(1) The mail is to be addressed specifically to you,
or another designated consular officer (ACS chief, ARRESTS officer, etc.) at
post address and the prisoners name should not appear on the outside of the
envelope or package;
(2) The prisoner and family understand that you cannot
deliver any sealed mail. You must examine all letters and parcels upon
receipt;
(3) You may limit the frequency of letters, and/or the
size and number of packages, depending upon post resources;
(4) You will neither deliver nor return mail that
contains contraband, items prohibited by prison authorities, or mail that
encourages or outlines any extra-legal activity, such as escape plans;
(5) Where a consular officer, based on objective facts
and conditions (including prisoner conditions), and subject to the concurrence
by the supervising consular officer, believes that a statement in an incoming
correspondence could put the U.S. citizen prisoner in harm, for example by
triggering ill treatment by a guard or jeopardizing the prisoners chance for
amnesty, the officer is justified in not delivering the letter containing such
a statement. The officer would be remiss to deliver a correspondence that puts
the prisoner, towards whom we have responsibilities under the VCCR, in
jeopardy. The post should return the objectionable letter to the family
indicating what the objectionable part was and why it was objectionable. The
family may edit it and resend it. If the family declines to edit the post may
decline to deliver it.
(6) Funds must be transmitted through the OCS TRUST
procedure. You cannot accept cash by mail in these circumstances;
(7) You can deliver mail directly to the prisoner only
if allowed to do so by prison authorities. Mail may have to go through the
same screening and censoring procedures as if sent directly to the prison; and
(8) Depending upon the distance to the prison, you may
not be able to arrange special trips just to deliver mail. Mail received from
family members may not be delivered until the next scheduled consular visit,
and outgoing mail collected from the prisoner at the same time.
c. The diplomatic pouch may not be used for private
U.S. citizens living abroad, including U.S. citizen prisoners, except as
provided in 14
FAM 724.16 b (1); 14 FAM 724.16
d, and 14 FAM
724.14 b.
7 FAM 465.7 Minor Amenities
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
a. As with prisoners in pretrial confinement, you may
use prisoners funds on their behalf to purchase everyday items such as postage
stamps, toiletries, and stationery as permitted by prison authorities. Such
items may be delivered to the prisoner or prison monitors during routine
visits, or if feasible, sent to prison authorities for delivery to individual
prisoners.
b. You may also wish to arrange for donations of such
items by Mission families, American clubs and other private organizations or
sources within the local community.
7 FAM 466 REPORTING
(CT:CON-093; 10-29-2004)
Current, accurate, and factual reporting is just as
important in the post-sentencing phase of an arrest case as in the earlier,
more active periods.
7 FAM 466.1 What To Report
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
a. Any prison visits, including the date, the person
conducting the visit, and any information or observations that seem pertinent.
b. Any interim information gained between visits, such
as the scheduling or results of an appeals hearing, relocation of prisoner,
phone conversation with the prisoner or attorney, that might be of significance
or interest to the Department, family members or congressional inquirers,
consistent with Privacy Act.
c. Any perceived changes, positive or negative, in the
prisoners health, nutrition, or mental well-being.
d. Any provision of services such as those outlined in 7 FAM 465.
e. Any incident or political action that might affect U.S. citizen or national prisoners, or raise questions or concerns among family members,
(e.g.: a riot, hunger strike, possible general amnesty, etc.).
7 FAM 466.2 When To Report
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
The urgency of any report will generally be driven by the
nature of the information it contains. As a general rule, however, you should
submit routine reports of prison visits in the ACS system within three (3) business
days.
7 FAM 466.3 Responding To Inquiries
(CT:CON-379; 06-09-2011)
You should answer all inquiries received from a prisoner's
family or members of Congress promptly and as responsively as possible.
(1) Normally, your response should be sent directly to
the inquirer, with a copy to the Department.
(2) In responding to inquiries, be careful to ensure
that you are acting consistently with the Privacy Act, including having
appropriate, up-to-date Privacy Act waivers (Form DS-5505).
(3) At the request of the prisoner, you may call or
send an e-mail, fax, or letter directly to the specified family member or
friend to advise them of a prisoner's needs or to assure them of the prisoner's
well being.
7 FAM 467 THROUGH 469 UNASSIGNED