Policy Proposal: In-Room Computer Access at SRTF Level of Care
We propose a shift toward allowing in-room computer access for residents at the Secure Residential Treatment Facility (SRTF) level of care. This recommendation is grounded not in convenience, but in the essential role digital access plays in modern emotional wellness, cognitive continuity, and recovery-focused treatment engagement.
Administrative Concerns vs. Reality
Common objections focus on hypothetical worst-case scenarios: device misuse, inappropriate communication, or system manipulation. While such concerns warrant protocols, using them as justification for blanket restrictions is intellectually lazy and ethically flawed. It mirrors banning all cars because some may crash.
Solution: Implement a tiered access model informed by behavioral data and clinical discretion.
- Baseline access for most residents, with standard content controls.
- Tailored restrictions only for those who exhibit concerning digital behavior.
- Digital access reframed as a treatment-reinforcing tool—not a privilege or liability.
Digital Access is Cognitive Dignity
If we believe in individualized recovery, then collective punishment is not a viable policy. Residents at the SRTF level of care should not be preemptively punished for theoretical missteps. We must prioritize therapeutic innovation over administrative anxiety.
Let's build policy around human potential, not fear.
Contact
If you support this proposal or wish to discuss implementation models, contact: