SOP 215.14: Transitional Center Resident Transportation

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|
|Policy Number: 215.14|Effective Date: 01/06/2022|Page Number: 1 of 4|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
(Transitional Centers)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

I. Introduction and Summary:

It shall be the policy of the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) that the
Transitional Center Superintendent may approve the use of various means of
transportation for Work Release Residents to assist them in locating and maintaining
employment.

II. Authority:

A. GDC Board Rule: 125-2-4-.13; and

B. GDC Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): 215.21, Transitional Center Financial

Operations and Fees.

III. Definitions:

A. Work Release Resident - Offender assigned to a Transitional Center who is

currently participating in work release.

B. Maintenance Residen t - Offender assigned to a Transitional Center to assist in

the daily operation of the facility. The offender does not participate in the work
release program.

IV. Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:

A. Driver's License:

1. No Resident will operate a motor vehicle on the public roads or highways

unless in the performance of job-related duties.

2. A Resident will obtain a valid driver's license at his/her expense if one has not

been proved to him/her by the GDC. Transitional Center residents will use the
address of their assigned Center for their home address.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|
|Policy Number: 215.14|Effective Date: 01/06/2022|Page Number: 2 of 4|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
(Transitional Centers)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

3. Maintenance Residents may operate a state vehicle if he/she has obtained a

valid special operator's license as described in GDC Rule 125-2-4-.13.

B. Authorization:

1. A Resident may operate an employer’s company vehicle in the performance of

job-related duties at the written request of his/her employer and with the
approval of the Superintendent. The following procedures govern requests of
this nature:

a. The employer will submit Attachment 2, Authorization for Use of

Company Vehicle by Resident specifying:

i. Justification for request

ii. Type of vehicle to be operated

iii. Frequency of use

iv. Type and Amount of Insurance Coverage

b. The employer will sign Attachment 1, Waiver of Liability, absolving GDC

from any liability resulting from an accident involving a Resident during
the course of employment duties. The employer will acknowledge sole
responsibility for the insurance coverage of the company vehicle. The
Superintendent will review the request and Attachment 1, Waiver of
Liability, for approval or disapproval.

c. The Superintendent's decision will be relayed to the employer.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|
|Policy Number: 215.14|Effective Date: 01/06/2022|Page Number: 3 of 4|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
(Transitional Centers)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

C. Restrictions:

1. A Resident approved to operate a company vehicle will only be allowed to

drive that vehicle during regularly scheduled working hours, and in the
performance of his/her employment duties. A Resident will not be allowed to
drive the vehicle to and from the Transitional Center.

2. NO Resident may operate a company vehicle while on pass.

3. NO Resident may operate or ride a motorcycle.

4. Only approved Maintenance Residents having a special operator's license may

operate a state vehicle.

5. NO Resident may hitchhike to or from his/her place of employment.

6. The privilege to operate a vehicle may be suspended or revoked for violation

of these guidelines or for other misconduct resulting in disciplinary action.

7. GDC Rule 125-2-4-.13 will govern Maintenance Residents who have been

issued a special operator's license.

8. Residents allowed driving privileges will be subject to increased testing for

substance abuse.

D. Alternative Transportation:

1. The Superintendent and the Center’s Employment Specialist will determine

the most accessible means of transportation available to the job site.

2. Transportation provided by the Resident’s employer will require approval by

the Superintendent.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|Policy Name: Transitional Center Resident Transportation|
|Policy Number: 215.14|Effective Date: 01/06/2022|Page Number: 4 of 4|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
(Transitional Centers)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

3. At times, adequate public transportation or affordable transportation is not

available to Residents. Residents might also need free transportation to help
them overcome initial costs of starting a new job until sufficient funds are
available in the resident’s account. In these cases, the Center may transport
Resident(s) utilizing Center staff and vehicles. The Center may charge a rate
not to exceed the lowest fare offered by private transportation services or
public transit available in the general vicinity of the Center. The transportation
fee will be directly deducted from the Resident’s account. When Resident(s)
are charged for Center-provided transportation, they must acknowledge by
their signature, on a weekly basis, that they verify and authorize the deductions
from their account for transportation received that week. The Resident will be
required to use other transportation alternatives if they become available or
financially feasible. The Superintendent may elect to provide temporary
transportation in order to eliminate loans and debt that may be incurred by
newly employed Residents. Centers may still provide limited and infrequent
no-cost transportation to any Resident in unusual circumstances, determined
on a case-by-case basis and approved by the Superintendent.

V. Attachments:

Attachment 1: Waiver of Liability
Attachment 2: Authorization for Use of Company Vehicle by Resident

VI. Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:

Upon completion, all attachments shall be placed in the Resident’s case file and
maintained according to the official retention schedule for that file.