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scheduled to be seen again the following week. The Chief Psychologist told the OIG that Epstein and his attorney mocked her for thinking Epstein was suicidal.?® On July 16, 2019, at Epstein’s request, the Chief Psychologist met with Epstein during his attorney conference. The Chief Psychologist noted that Epstein did not have any psychological concerns and denied suicidality. The Chief Psychologist noted that she provided Epstein with psychoeducation regarding additional coping strategies. Epstein was educated about routine and emergency procedures to contact Psychology Department staff and reminded of self-help books and audiotapes that are available to him. The Chief Psychologist noted in her clinical contact report that there was no need for follow-up and that Epstein would be seen in the SHU for rounds and monthly SHU reviews. According to the BOP After Action Review submitted by the Southeast Regional Director, the Chief Psychologist’s meeting with Epstein on July 16, 2019, at Epstein’s request during his attorney conference was inappropriate. The Southeast Regional Director wrote in the report that Epstein attempted to “bring his attorneys into the fray regarding the mental health treatment being provided by the institution.” In the After Action Review, the Southeast Regional Director wrote that it was not typical for the BOP to provide psychological intervention in the presence of others, nor was it appropriate for a BOP psychologist to meet with an inmate’s attorney. When asked by the OIG about these findings, the Chief Psychologist stated that the intention was to check on Epstein, not to breach any security. On July 18, 2019, the Chief Psychologist conducted a monthly SHU review and noted that Epstein was unavailable due to a meeting with his legal team and that she would attempt to interview Epstein in the near future to complete his monthly review. As noted previously, at approximately 1:27 a.m. on July 23, 2019, Epstein was found lying on the floor of his cell with a piece of homemade orange cloth around his neck. The Chief Psychologist made a general administrative note in Epstein’s file that she was contacted by the Operations Lieutenant at approximately 2 a.m., and informed that Epstein was being placed on suicide watch after he was found with a string loosely hanging around his neck. That morning, Physician Assistant 1 assessed Epstein for injuries and noted in BOP records that Epstein was cooperative, alert, and oriented. According to BOP’s medical records, Epstein did not appear distressed and was smiling during the clinical assessment. Epstein said he did not know what had happened and could not explain the mark on his neck. Physician Assistant 1 noted that Epstein had a circular line of erythema, i.e., superficial redness on the skin, that was 2 inches wide and spanned two- thirds of the way around the front and sides of the base of his neck. According to the BOP report, one section of the erythema (or redness) in the front of his neck had marks of friction, and there was no inflammation, deformities, hematomas, lacerations, or tenderness. The BOP report stated that Epstein was able to move his neck without any restriction and denied having any pain, discomfort, or respiratory problems. Physician Assistant 1 further noted there was another small erythema (or redness) on Epstein’s left knee about 2 centimeters in diameter, which was noted as mild. Physician Assistant 1’s assessment was that the injury was unspecified and was self-inflicted. 28 Upon reviewing a draft of this report, the Chief Psychologist noted that Epstein’s attorneys were not “mocking” her; the attorneys and Epstein were simply laughing at the fact that she was inquiring as to whether Epstein was suicidal and dismissing the possibility that Epstein could be suicidal. 44 DOJ-OGR- 00023411