Administrative Directive 04.04.100: Mental Health General Provisions (Illinois DOC)

Illinois DOC Administrative Directive 04.04.100, effective July 1, 2026, is the operative policy on access to mental health care in Illinois prisons. It defines five levels of care — Outpatient, Special/Residential Treatment Unit, Modified RTU, Crisis Treatment and Inpatient — and requires that everyone admitted to a facility be seen within 48 hours by a Mental Health Professional who completes a Mental Health Screening (DOC 0372); anyone flagged must receive a Mental Health Evaluation (DOC 0374) within 14 working days. Referrals may come from staff, from the person themselves, from other individuals in custody, or from credible outside sources such as family members, and the directive requires that contact information and procedures for outside referrals be published on the department's website. Self-referrals are encouraged on the Individual in Custody Request, DOC 0286. Mental health staff must review anyone placed in restrictive housing or administrative detention promptly and conduct rounds at least every seven days.