I am going to be incarcerated beginning this spring, probably in one of the federal facilities in California. My psychiatrist and I are working together to find a medication for me that will be available while in prison so I can get adjusted ahead of time.

Can anyone tell me if the BOP has a formulary that they publish? Will I have to go without medication until their docs can evaluate & prescribe something?

Any help is appreciated.

Joe

i don't really know the answer...but i know my son was on meds when he went to federal...and it took like a week for hime to get back on but they took his meds and saw what they were...there was never a question of what kind...i hope someone comes along soon and helps....i'm curious too...

UPDATE: All I've learned so far is that during my Pre-Sentencing Interview I need to have copies of any medications I use on a regular basis so they can be added to my information for my intake. I'm really just trying to figure out if I should switch back to the less-effective but more common medication to treat ADD. What I take now is fairly new on the market but very effective, it would be a drag to have that taken from me too.

My husband is incarcerated with bipolar. Unfortunately he had a sucky psychiatrist before he went to jail, and it's gotten no better since he's been there.

He is on a regime of Wellbutrin and Trazadone, both for depression, neither for bipolar.

Good luck.

I actually have a very good psychiatrist -- the reason I have been trying to get more information about the availability of meds. She knows I am going to be incarcerated for a while so we have decided to first learn what my options will be and then try them before I leave. Hopefully we can find what will work and what is available so I won't have to experiment with the prison psychiatrist.

I have taken Wellbutrin, it has a lot of uses (depression, ADD/ADHD, smoking cessation, and appparently Bipolar). I take Trazodone also, the psychiatrist prescribed that because my ADD medication keeps me awake and Trazodone helps to make me drowsy so I can sleep.

If you have documentation for the meds you need before you enter the BOP you will have no problem getting them. The BOP will make the meds available to you. Your medical file will follow you anywhere you go. They are incredibly tedious in providing meds for diagnosed mental disorders/ailments. I remember the pill line being longer than the chow line distributing anything from Buspar to Phenolbarbitol as if it was candy. Peace.