Overview of the Classification System
The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) administers a classification system designed, in GDC's own words, "to protect the public by operating safe and secure facilities while ensuring the protection and safety of GDC staff, contractors, visitors, and other offenders" (SOP 220.02). Classification governs not only where an offender is housed but also what supervision level, work detail, and programs they are assigned to throughout their sentence.
The system operates on two tracks that work in parallel: (1) a security classification process that assigns an overall security level using an automated scoring instrument, and (2) a Classification Committee process that translates that security level into specific housing, program, and work decisions at each facility.
Initial Security Classification: The NGA and SCRIBE
Upon entry into GDC custody, every offender is run through the Next Generation Assessment (NGA), an automated instrument that "analyzes several factors" — each weighted by an algorithm — to produce a recommended security level of close, medium, or minimum (SOP 220.02). The result is generated in the SCRIBE system, GDC's official offender records management platform.
The Warden/Superintendent or a designated official must then review that system-generated level and either confirm it or submit an Override request to Central Office. SOP 220.02 specifies that the designee must be one of the following: Chief Counselor, S.I.P. Coordinator, Deputy Warden of Care Treatment, Assistant Superintendent, Diagnostic Director, or Deputy Warden of Security. Critically, "Security Classification reviews shall be completed directly in SCRIBE by the Warden/Superintendent or Designee and not on paper to be entered later by other staff."
If the Warden does not concur with the NGA result, an Override may be submitted through SCRIBE. Supporting comments "should include supporting data, justification for the request, and details citing documented information." Central Office "will review and has final authority" (SOP 220.02).
The Board of Corrections rule governing security classification (SOP 125-3-1-.02) defines five levels — Maximum, Close, Medium, Minimum, and Trusty — and specifies mandatory minimum time-at-level requirements before a downward adjustment can be recommended: one year for Close, six months for Medium, three months for Minimum. The Board rule also notes that "adverse behavior on the part of an inmate may result in a review of the reclassification form for possible security change" and that detainers may cause upward security adjustments.
SOP 220.03 (Classification Committee) further defines the NGA as "GDC's assessment tool to identify programming for the offender population," and introduces the SMART Custody module — a SCRIBE tool that "organizes existing SCRIBE data to create a comprehensive offender profile to help make classification decisions."
Classification Committees: Structure and Duties
Every GDC facility type — state prisons, transitional centers, and detention centers — is required to maintain a Classification Committee that handles individual assignment decisions.
At state facilities, SOP 220.03 provides the overarching framework. The committee evaluates program needs, special needs (ADA, mental health, medical, educational), and custody level assignments on an ongoing basis. The policy states that "all offenders/juveniles/residents will be provided classification plans, classification status reviews, pre-parole progress reports, and have any Special Needs assessed."
At Transitional Centers, SOP 215.18 requires each center to maintain a committee responsible for security level assignments, program placement, employment, job search assistance, transfer requests, and administrative segregation hearings. The committee must include at minimum a Chairperson (Assistant Superintendent or designee), a Care and Treatment member, and a Security member (Chief of Security or designee). The committee meets at least once per week. New residents must complete an arrival briefing and a 14-day orientation phase before initial classification; work release residents are classified at the end of orientation, and maintenance residents within 30 days.
At Detention Centers, SOP 213.11 requires a committee of at least three staff members — at least one security and one treatment — appointed by the Superintendent. Initial classification must occur after completion of intake processing (including physician-approved medical assessment) and must evaluate the detainee's medical needs, security needs, personal/social needs, and program needs. The policy notes that "a thorough initial review and appropriate placement are critical" because detainees serve short terms.
In all contexts, Classification Committee decisions are subject to review and approval of the Warden/Superintendent (SOP 215.18, SOP 213.11).
Diagnostic Reception and Initial Processing
Before any facility-level classification occurs, newly sentenced offenders pass through a Diagnostic Facility. Adult males are processed at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison or Coastal State Prison; adult females at Lee Arrendale State Prison; juveniles (age 17) at Burruss Correctional Training Center (males) or Lee Arrendale (females) (SOP 220.05).
During diagnostic reception, offenders receive health assessments, mental health screening, medical classification and profiling using the PULHESDWIT system (SOP 507.04.23), fingerprinting, photo identification, and an initial security classification. SOP 220.05 also requires screening for disability accommodations, PREA vulnerabilities, and gender identity considerations at the point of intake.
The medical classification and profiling process assigns grades across ten functional categories. Physicians assign most grades; mental health professionals assign the "S" (psychiatric) grade; dentists assign the "D" grade (SOP 507.04.23). Profiles are entered into SCRIBE and "do not become effective until the data has been entered into SCRIBE." There is no provision for backdating profiles.
Transfers Between Facilities
Inter-Institutional Transfers (General)
SOP 222.01 governs transfers between GDC facilities and identifies five categories: Administrative, Causal, Medical, Emergency, and Programmatic. All transfer recommendations must go through the Classification Committee and be submitted electronically via SCRIBE. The SOP states unequivocally: "No offender shall be transferred due to the filing of writs and/or grievances."
Warden-to-Warden transfers are permitted for temporary moves between nearby facilities but are strictly time-limited: Sleeper Status shall not exceed 24 hours. If the move exceeds 24 hours, the sending facility must submit a formal transfer request.
Transfer requests must include the reason for transfer, current job and program assignment, known enemies and co-defendants, family member locations, and any recent changes to medical profile.
County Facility Placement
SOP 222.02 sets specific eligibility criteria for placement in county work camps. At minimum, offenders must have a GED or high school diploma, hold a security level of medium or below, have no escape history from a secure facility within five years, and have been assigned to their current facility for a minimum of six months. Offenders with Federal Immigration Detainers are categorically excluded. Offenders convicted of serious violent offenses face additional restrictions on disciplinary history. An offender should not have more than 13 years remaining before their tentative parole month or maximum release date.
Health Screening During Transfers
SOP 507.04.25 requires that health records be reviewed by a Licensed Health Care Provider before every intra-system transfer, with an Intra-System Transfer Form completed. Medical staff should receive at least 24 hours' notice of a pending transfer. Offenders with urgent or emergent dental needs "should be treated, prior to non-medical transfer to another facility" (SOP 507.05.07). Health records physically accompany the offender in a sealed labeled envelope; the security officer is responsible for transporting the sealed record (SOP 507.02.03). Records are retained for 10 years and sent to the State Archive upon release.
Transfers of Mentally Ill Offenders
SOP 508.33 requires that offenders on a mental health caseload "may only be transferred to a GDC facility with an equivalent or higher level of mental health care." Offender Administration is responsible for locating appropriate placements. Mental health records are handled confidentially throughout the transfer process.
Special Populations
Transgender and Intersex Offenders
SOP 220.09 establishes a Statewide Classification Committee (SCC) — distinct from facility-level Classification Committees — that makes case-by-case decisions about whether a transgender or intersex offender will be housed in a male or female facility. Housing placement decisions must consider "on a case-by-case basis" the health and safety of the offender and must comply with PREA requirements. The SCC is a multi-disciplinary body and its decisions are separate from the standard NGA-driven security classification process.
Mentally Ill Offenders — Transitional Center Clearance
SOP 508.34 bars automatic exclusion from Transitional Centers based solely on mental health caseload status, but sets firm exclusions: offenders classified MH Level IV or higher are ineligible; any offender who has had a suicide attempt, self-mutilation, or assault within the past 12 months is ineligible. For eligible MH offenders, the mental status must be stable and the offender must have resided in general population for at least three months prior to consideration.
Juvenile Offenders in Administrative Segregation
SOP 209.11 establishes the RHA-JOAS Program (Restrictive Housing Assignment – Juvenile Offender Administrative Segregation) for juvenile offenders (under 18) who commit violent, disruptive, or predatory acts. The program is explicitly "a juvenile offender management process and is not a punishment measure." Placement is limited to the period until the juvenile turns 18.
Detainees in Secure Alternative Centers
SOP 211.03 governs detainees (probationers and parolees) in Secure Alternative Centers. Transfer to a state prison may occur only when "the level of service required by the Detainee cannot be met in the assigned Secure Alternative Center." Such a transfer "shall in no way modify the legal status of the Detainee."
Administrative Segregation and Its Relationship to Classification
SOP 209.06 defines Administrative Segregation as a classification decision that can be made by the Classification Committee, the Deputy Warden/Assistant Superintendent/Unit Manager, or — in emergencies — the Warden/Superintendent. Placement is permissible when "continued presence in the general population poses a serious threat to life, property, self, staff, or other offenders, or to the security or orderly running of the facility." The SOP states that "Administrative Segregation is not intended for a means of abuse, any form of corporal punishment, or harassment of an offender."
For long-term segregation cases, SOP 209.08 establishes the Tier II Program, which uses a phased behavioral model with the goal of returning offenders to general population. The program operates its own Classification Committee consisting of the Tier II Unit Manager, Tier II OIC, assigned counselor, and (as applicable) the mental health counselor.
Classification and Program/Work Assignments
Classification decisions directly control work and program eligibility. SOP 409.02.11 (Georgia Correctional Industries) states that "the security and program determinations necessary for any individual to be eligible for industries work are made by the classification committee." SOP 108.08 (Career Technical Education) similarly requires that the Classification Committee identify CTE candidates and that offenders have no disciplinary reports for the past six months to be eligible. SOP 107.18 (R.I.S.E. Mentoring Program) requires Classification Committee approval for mentor placement, with eligibility including no high disciplinary report for three years and no documented gang activity for five years.
Reclassification and Review Cycles
The Board of Corrections rule (SOP 125-3-1-.02) requires that each inmate's records be reviewed at least annually for possible security classification adjustment. SOP 220.02 requires a Threshold/Override Review every 12 months for offenders whose security level resulted from an Override or when the NGA-generated level crosses a threshold. An Exception Review may be triggered at any time by new circumstances warranting an immediate security change.
Trust Funds During Transfers
SOP 201.02 requires that when an offender is permanently transferred, the losing facility's business office must forward the offender's store account funds to the gaining facility within three business days. For temporary assignments of 20 or more business days, funds must be forwarded within five working days.