Overview of Restrictive Housing Types
GDC policy establishes several legally and operationally distinct forms of restrictive housing. Understanding the differences matters because each carries different procedural protections, time limits, and conditions.
Disciplinary Isolation (SOP 209.03) is the most restrictive short-term sanction, imposed after a disciplinary hearing and finding of guilt (Board Rule 125-3-2-.09). No offender may be placed in Disciplinary Isolation for more than 30 days, and it "shall not be utilized as corporal punishment." Placement requires recommendation by the Disciplinary Hearing Officer and approval of the Warden/Superintendent or designee. Prior to placement, the Disciplinary Hearing Officer or Investigator must notify a licensed health care provider "as soon as possible."
Administrative Segregation (SOP 209.06) is used for offenders removed from general population when their "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." SOP 209.06 explicitly states: "Administrative Segregation is not intended for a means of abuse, any form of corporal punishment, or harassment of an offender." Circumstances triggering administrative segregation include: pending disciplinary hearing, serving a disciplinary sanction, pending reclassification or transfer, pending investigation, pending Protective Custody review, and protective custody itself (voluntary or involuntary). Board Rule 125-3-1-.03 defines Administrative Segregation as "the withdrawal of an inmate from the general inmate population and his (her) detention in a separated area."
Tier I Segregation (SOP 209.07) is a short-term program applicable at all state prisons, county CIs, private prisons, intensive treatment facilities, transitional centers, probation detention centers, and probation boot camps. Placement grounds include: threat to safe/secure operations; awaiting disciplinary hearing; subject of a serious rule violation investigation; excessive destruction of state property; pending criminal charge; protective custody (voluntary or staff-initiated); awaiting transfer or in holdover status; or not yet classified upon arrival.
Tier II Program (SOP 209.08) is a long-term administrative segregation program for offenders "whose violent acts have been repetitive and serious" or who pose a serious threat of escape. It is explicitly designated "not a punishment measure" but rather "an offender management process." It uses a multi-phase structure with progressively reduced restrictions as offenders demonstrate compliant behavior.
Tier III Program / Special Management Unit (SOP 209.09) is a minimum 13-month incentive-based program with five phases (Phase 1 through Phase 5, most to least restrictive) for offenders who "commit or lead others to commit violent, disruptive, predatory, or riotous actions." The Tier III Classification Committee — which must include at minimum the Deputy SMU Warden of Security, a Mental Health Counselor or professional, and the Chief of Security — reviews offender progress.
Placement Criteria and Procedural Protections
Involuntary Administrative Segregation
Board Rule 125-3-1-.03 requires that following any involuntary assignment to Administrative Segregation, the Warden/Superintendent or designee must hold a formal hearing within 96 hours. At least 24 hours before that hearing, the offender must be advised in writing of the reasons for placement. At the hearing, the offender may request an employee advocate and may call witnesses (at the Classification Committee's discretion). For indefinite placement authorized in writing by the Warden, documentation of necessity must be forwarded to the Commissioner within 15 days, and the Warden must review the case at least every 30 days.
In the absence of the Warden, a senior officer may place an offender in Administrative Segregation for up to 72 hours, after which the Warden must treat the placement under the voluntary or involuntary procedures of the Board Rule.
Protective Custody
SOP 209.06 addresses Protective Custody as a subset of Administrative Segregation. An offender may request admission in writing; if voluntary admission is denied, the assignment becomes involuntary, triggering the 30-day review obligation. SOP 209.07 also lists protective custody — both voluntary and staff-initiated — as a ground for Tier I Segregation.
Juvenile Offenders
SOP 209.11 (Restrictive Housing Assignment – Juvenile Offender Administrative Segregation) governs juvenile offenders (under 18) who commit violent, disruptive, predatory, or riotous acts or pose serious escape threats. The maximum duration of the RHA-JOAS Program is until the juvenile turns 18. Like adult programs, this is designated "not a punishment measure" but a management process. SOP 211.05 designates specific PREA-compliant facilities for juvenile offenders and specifies that SOP 209.11 governs their restrictive housing.
Physical Conditions Required
Board Rule 125-3-2-.09 sets the minimum physical specifications for Disciplinary Isolation cells:
- Minimum cell size of 5' × 10' × 7' high (new construction); existing cells approved as exceptions
- Adequate light (natural or artificial) and ventilation (natural or mechanical)
- Proper heating; gas-heated cells require annual safety inspection with certification maintained on record
- No exposed pipes, wiring, or other items usable as weapons
- Bunk, mattress, and seasonal bedding (except as limited by stripped cell procedures)
- Commode, lavatory, and drinking water, or frequent escort to such facilities
- No more than one inmate per cell, except in documented emergencies requiring Commissioner notification
Stripped cells — cells from which a serviceable bed, fire retardant mattress, hot/cold running water, proper bedding, or working toilet has been removed — are governed by SOP 209.05. They may only be used in emergencies when an offender poses a risk of harm or destroys property, "never as punishment under any circumstances." Placement requires written authorization from the Warden or Superintendent. Maximum initial confinement is 8 hours; continued placement requires medical authorization renewed daily.
Board Rule 125-3-1-.03 also specifies that health standards and rations for offenders in Administrative Segregation "shall be the same as those used for the general inmate population."
Health Monitoring Requirements
Multiple SOPs and Board Rules create overlapping, redundant requirements for health monitoring in restrictive housing — a sign GDC treats this as a high-priority obligation.
Board Rule 125-4-4-.08 requires that when an offender is placed in administrative segregation or disciplinary isolation, security must notify a medical staff member. A licensed health care provider must review the medical record by the close of the next business day to determine if the environment would medically or mentally harm the offender. Medical checks must occur three times weekly. The institutional physician must advise the Warden whether the offender can tolerate the "physical and mental stress of such confinement"; if medically required, the Warden must remove the offender from disciplinary isolation.
SOP 507.04.33 (Health Evaluation of Offenders in Restrictive Housing, effective 1/31/2022) provides the operational procedures implementing this requirement. Upon placement for any reason, the correctional officer must "notify a licensed health care provider immediately." The provider retrieves and reviews the health record for: DOT/SAM medications; nursing assessment needs; mental health history and current treatment; and any contraindications to placement. Each offender in restrictive housing must receive a daily visit from a health care provider, announced and recorded in the Isolation/Restrictive Housing logbook.
At facilities without 24-hour medical coverage, placement after hours or on weekends/holidays must be reported immediately to the on-call Health Authority; a licensed health care provider must perform a medical assessment within 24 hours of placement.
If following review the nurse believes "the offender's health will be adversely affected by continued placement in restrictive housing," the nurse notifies the physician, who may direct alternate arrangements.
Mental Health Monitoring Requirements
SOP 508.20 (Mental Health Rounds in Restrictive Housing Units, effective 8/2/2022) requires a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) to conduct weekly mental health rounds on all offenders confined in restrictive housing. This policy applies at all GDC facilities with a mental health mission.
For offenders already receiving mental health services who are placed in restrictive housing:
- The mental health unit manager or designee must be notified
- A QMHP must conduct a mental health screen within two working days of placement to assess for contraindications
- A QMHP must meet weekly with each such offender; contact is documented in the mental health record
- Monthly individual counseling sessions are required based on the offender's mental health level
SOP 508.20 defines "Serious Mental Illness" as "a substantial disorder of thought or mood which significantly impairs judgment, behavior, or capacity to recognize reality or cope with the ordinary demands of life within the prison environment." It defines "Mental Health Offender" as one with a current diagnosis assigned as Level II or higher.
The purpose of mental health rounds is "identification and referral of offenders with Serious Mental Illness, as opposed to delivering actual mental health treatment or service" — though treatment access is separately required by SOP 209.06.
SOP 209.06 states that offenders in administrative segregation "retain equivalent access to medical, dental, and psychiatric services as general population inmates" (mirroring language in SOP 507.04.33).
Step-Down Programs
GDC policy includes formal transition pathways out of the most restrictive housing levels.
Tier II STEP (SOP 209.45) is a 90-day step-down program for offenders who have successfully completed the Tier II Program. All participants are classified as Close Security. The program is explicitly declared "not a restrictive housing unit." Offenders receive at least four hours of out-of-cell time daily and conditions comparable to general population. Successful completion results in consideration for general population reassignment at Close Security classification.
Tier III STEP (SOP 209.55) is an identical 90-day structure for offenders completing the Tier III Program, with the same Close Security classification, general population-comparable conditions, and consideration for reassignment upon completion. It is likewise "not a restrictive housing unit." Both STEPs require an orientation within seven calendar days of arrival, delivered by the assigned counselor.
Both programs require their own Classification Committees that include a Mental Health Counselor or professional, a General Population Counselor, the relevant Unit Manager, and the Deputy Warden of Security.
Access to Programs, Commissary, and Property
SOP 227.07 addresses commissary access: offenders in administrative segregation "may complete an order form on specified days and have their purchases transacted by an assigned staff member." Access may be denied or limited through specific disciplinary sanctions or for offenders in disciplinary isolation.
Board Rule 125-3-5-.06 addresses work: offenders in Administrative Segregation, Isolation, or Special Management "may be required to work in their assigned areas consistent with security requirements and good penological practice."
SOP 209.06 requires that offenders in administrative segregation with behavioral problems "be provided with programs conducive to their well-being," and that they retain access to grievance procedures, religious services, legal access, and mail.
Video Recording During Segregation Placement
SOP 204.11 requires that body-worn cameras (BWCs) be activated during "movement of an offender into segregation or isolation," in addition to use-of-force events and shakedowns. This applies to all officers using BWC equipment.
Special Populations
HIV-positive offenders (SOP 208.01): Normally placed in general population. Separated housing is authorized if "case review indicates that separated housing is necessary for the welfare of the inmate or other inmates." HIV-positive offenders in general or separate housing who are "sexually active, predatory, or assaultive shall be segregated from the general population until released through existing administrative segregation procedure." The Classification Committee must review each inmate in separated housing every 90 days.
TB-suspected offenders (SOP 507.04.54): Must be immediately separated from general population and transported to Augusta State Medical Prison (ASMP) or a local community hospital; this is medical isolation rather than disciplinary or administrative segregation.
Mental Health Acute Care Unit (SOP 508.30): The ACU is a designated short-term intensive mental health unit for offenders who are agitated or experiencing behavioral changes but do not require crisis stabilization. Offenders may refuse mental health treatment but "may not refuse ACU placement." Length of stay should "rarely exceed 14 days."