SOP_NUMBER: 107.13
TITLE: Program and Treatment Completion Certificate
DIVISION: Inmate Services Division (Risk Reduction)
TOPIC_AREA: 107 Policy-Counseling/Risk Reduction
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2022-07-19
WORD_COUNT: 2122
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/183947
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.13/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes the procedures for issuing Program and Treatment Completion Certificates to eligible offenders in GDC facilities. Certificates document an offender's participation in programs, treatment, education, vocational training, and work history during their current incarceration to support successful reentry into the community. Offenders must meet specific eligibility criteria, including mental health status requirements, absence of serious violent felony convictions, and clean disciplinary records within 12 months of release.

KEY_TOPICS: program completion certificate, treatment completion, reentry resources, offender eligibility, disciplinary records, program participation, work history, vocational education, educational programs, recidivism reduction, prisoner reentry, rehabilitation programs, certificate issuance, inmate services, risk assessment

ATTACHMENTS:
  1. Program and Treatment Completion Certificate
     URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.13-att-1/

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FULL TEXT:
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|
|**Policy Number:** 107.13|**Effective Date:** 07/19/2022|**Page Number:** 1 of 7|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Risk Reduction)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) shall provide standardized procedures
for issuing a Program and Treatment Completion Certificate for all eligible offenders.
The Department is under no obligation to issue a Program and Treatment Completion
Certificate to offenders who do not meet the established criteria.

**II.** **Authority:**

A. O.C.G.A. §§ 42-2-5.2 and 17-10-6.1;


B. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): 106.02 Chaplaincy Services

Objectives, 106.04 Chaplaincy Services, 107.01 Purpose & Objectives - Access to
Counseling Services and Programs, 107.05 Program Management, 107.08
Cognitive Behavioral Programs, 107.11 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
Programs (RSAT), 108.01 Education Programs Administration, 108.08 Vocational
Education, 108.11 Vocational Services On-the-Job Training (OJT) Programs,
207.04 Offender Work Details, 209.01 Offender Discipline, 215.17 Transitional
Center Resident Programs and Services, 220.03 Classification Committee,
409.05.01 Prison Industries Enhancement Program (PIE), and 508.18
MH/MR Discipline Procedures; and

C. ACA Standard: 5-ACI-5E-15 (ref. 4-4441).


**III.** **Definitions:**

A. **Program and Treatment Completion Certificate**    - An official document that shall

be issued to eligible offenders under the rules and regulations of the Board of
Corrections. The Certificate symbolizes an offender’s achievements towards
successful reentry into society;

B. **Current Incarceration**    - The sentence(s) for which the offender is actively

incarcerated; and


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|
|**Policy Number:** 107.13|**Effective Date:** 07/19/2022|**Page Number:** 2 of 7|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Risk Reduction)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



C. **O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1**     - Sentencing of persons convicted of: Murder or felony

murder, as defined in Code Section 16-5-1; Armed robbery, as defined in Code
Section 16-8-41; Kidnapping, as defined in Code Section 16-5-40; Rape, as defined
in Code Section 16-6-1; Aggravated child molestation, as defined in subsection (c)
of Code Section,16-6-4, unless subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of
subsection (d) of Code Section 16-6-4; Aggravated sodomy, as defined in Code
Section 16-6-2; or Aggravated sexual battery, as defined in Code Section 16-6-22.2.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

A. Overview: It is the responsibility of the Warden, Superintendent or their designee,

and the Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment or Assistant Superintendent to
ensure that Certificates are issued to eligible and approved offenders. The
Certificates are a meaningful reentry resource for offenders transitioning back into
the community. Certificates provide a record of the programs and detail
assignment (work history) of the offender. The Certificate shall include
information on all programs and activities that the offender participated in during
their current incarceration.

B. Offender Eligibility Criteria: Offenders must satisfy the following conditions to be

eligible for the Certificate:

1. Must be a Mental Health Level 3 or below;


2. Cannot be convicted of a serious violent felony, as defined in O.C.G.A. § 17
10-6.1;

3. May not have an active ICE detainer;


4. Cannot be convicted of additional crime(s) committed during the current

incarceration;


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|
|**Policy Number:** 107.13|**Effective Date:** 07/19/2022|**Page Number:** 3 of 7|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Risk Reduction)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



5. Cannot be found guilty of a High or Greater Disciplinary Action/Report within

the last 12 months prior to release. The twelve (12) month cut-off for DRs
begins on the date when the infraction occurred and not when the sentence was
imposed. If the offender is found not guilty or the DR is dismissed it will not
have a negative impact on their eligibility for the Certificate; and

6. Cannot have a refusal or disciplinary withdrawal from programs or treatment

within the last twelve (12) months prior to release.

**NOTE** : Information used to generate the Certificate will be from the current
incarceration only. If an offender committed a crime prior to their Current
Incarceration but was convicted or sentenced for that crime during their
Current Incarceration, they may still be eligible for a Certificate. If the
conviction was for an offense enumerated in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 the offender
will be ineligible.

C. Program and Treatment Completion Certificate Information: All information

recorded on the Certificate will be self-populated based on the information
obtained from the SCRIBE programs and detail (work history) scheduling
modules. Staff shall confirm that all information regarding programming and
details is recorded correctly on the Certificate. The Certificate is divided into five
(5) sections, described below, which reflect the various programs and work areas:


1. Needs Assessed Programs and Treatment Completed   - This section will list all

assessed and referred mandated programs identified by a GDC approved
assessment and completed by the offender;

2. Needs Assessed Programs and Treatment Not Completed   - Activities in this

section have not been completed for one of the following reasons;

a. Withdrawn from Program; or


b. Released Prior to Completion.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|
|**Policy Number:** 107.13|**Effective Date:** 07/19/2022|**Page Number:** 4 of 7|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Risk Reduction)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



3. Academic Education Classes - Activities in this section reflect any academic

educational programs completed or enrolled in during the current
incarceration; unless completed within a GDC facility, all GED, high school,
and higher education information is self-reported. If an offender self-reported
a GED, high school diploma or higher education, this section will display as
Self-reported GED/high school diploma or higher education. Otherwise, it will
show any academic programs enrolled in by an offender during the current
incarceration and show the current status as of the certificate date;

4. Vocational and Work History   - This section includes the offender’s job skills,

work details, On-the-Job Training, and Vocational Education participation.
Vocational Education classes follow the Technical College System of Georgia
guidelines. Program availability differs depending on location; and

5. Personal Development and Special Programs   - This section includes voluntary

programming completed by the offender which is beyond the programs
required or identified through an assessment. These are programs that
offenders believe will enhance their overall development and reentry. Personal
Development and Special programs include but are not limited to the Veterans
Dorm, Faith and Character Dorm, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary,
and In-house Transitional Centers.

D. Workflow and SCRIBE Integration:


1. All offenders shall receive information about the Certificate during Orientation

at Diagnostics and upon arrival at a new facility. Staff shall utilize the GDC
authorized Program and Treatment Completion Certificate brochure,
Attachment 1, to educate the offenders on eligibility criteria and benefits of the
certificate. Offenders shall sign the Orientation Checklist, Attachment 1 of
SOP 220.04, Offender Orientation, as an acknowledgement that they were
informed about and understand the information they received concerning the
Certificate. This action shall be documented in SCRIBE and the Orientation


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|
|**Policy Number:** 107.13|**Effective Date:** 07/19/2022|**Page Number:** 5 of 7|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Risk Reduction)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



Checklist, Attachment 1 of SOP 220.04, Offender Orientation, shall be placed
in the offender’s institutional file.

2. The ability to generate a Certificate will be activated once a release date has

been approved in SCRIBE. This will include offenders who do not have a TPM
and are serving their entire sentence (“Max outs”). When a release date is
approved, the Reentry checklist status will change from “Not Started” to
“In Process”. SCRIBE will automatically determine if an offender is eligible
to receive the Certificate.

3. If the offender is ineligible (see above, Section IV, subparagraph B), SCRIBE

will change the Reentry checklist status to “Exempt” and the reason for
ineligibility will be displayed under the Programs Module – Program and
Treatment Completion Certificate Summary page.

4. If staff clicks the review Certificate link and the offender has not been

approved for release or given a release date, a message will appear that states,
“This offender does not have an approved release record.” At this point, Staff
will be unable to move further until the offender has an approved release
record.

5. Once a release date has been approved, the counselor shall meet with the

offender to inform the offender that the Certificate will be included in the
release package, if eligible, and discuss the Certificate’s use and benefits. This
contact shall be documented in SCRIBE.

6. If an offender is eligible for a Certificate, SCRIBE will automatically place the

Certificate in the Warden or Superintendent’s “To Do” list.

7. The Warden, Superintendent or their designee shall print the Certificate on

GDC approved anti-copy security paper and provide the original Certificate to
the offender upon release. The Warden, Superintendent, or their designee must
sign the Certificate prior to presenting it to the offender. If an offender’s


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|
|**Policy Number:** 107.13|**Effective Date:** 07/19/2022|**Page Number:** 6 of 7|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Risk Reduction)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



approved release is canceled after a Certificate is generated, then the generated
Certificate information will also be canceled automatically in SCRIBE and will
be removed from the summary and issue history pages. The Warden,
Superintendent, or their designee should dispose of the printed Certificate by
shredding it. A new Certificate can be generated once a new release date is
approved.

8. Prior to printing, if the Warden, Superintendent, or their designee believes that

the Certificate contains discrepancies, they should discontinue action on the
Certificate by selecting the “Go Back” option from the “To Do” list and:

a. Contact the Chief Counselor or counselor of record and request a review

and immediate correction of the information if necessary;

b. Once necessary corrections are completed, the Chief Counselor or

counselor of record will advise the Warden, Superintendent, or their
designee that necessary changes have been made;

c. The Warden, Superintendent, or their designee shall return to the “To Do”

list and, upon selecting the offender’s Certificate, choose “Update
Certificate” from the SCRIBE PTCC screen to start the automation process
over;

d. If the offender is now ineligible due to corrected information, the offender

will no longer show in the Warden’s or Superintendent’s “To Do” list;

e. If the offender remains eligible with the corrected information, the offender

will again show in the Warden’s or Superintendent’s “To Do” list and the
Certificate shall be printed on the GDC approved anti-copy security paper
only; and

f. The original Certificate shall be given to the offender along with all other

release paperwork and items upon release.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|**Policy Name:**Program and Treatment Completion Certificate|
|**Policy Number:** 107.13|**Effective Date:** 07/19/2022|**Page Number:** 7 of 7|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Risk Reduction)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



9. The original Certificate can only be reviewed or printed at the facility or site

where the offender is currently located. Offenders temporarily assigned to
another facility for medical or court reasons will be issued a Certificate from
that facility if eligible.

E. Requesting Copies:


1. After release from incarceration: Offenders may request copies of the

Certificate at any facility operated by Georgia Department of Corrections or
Department of Community Supervision (DCS) office. This copy shall be
printed on regular paper and notarized by authorized GDC personnel. This
notarized copy shall be treated as a valid Certificate.

2. After release from incarceration: All requests for duplicate Certificates

utilizing the GDC official paper must be made at Department of Corrections
Central Office/Inmate Services Division/Offices of Reentry Services. Fees
may be applicable prior to receiving the certificate.

F. Training: All staff shall receive training on the purpose of the Certificate and

benefits to offenders. All staff shall be informed of the procedures for issuing the
Certificate.

**V.** **Attachments:**

Attachment 1: Program and Treatment Completion Certificate Brochure

**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:**

Upon completion, Attachment 1 shall be utilized per the SOP until such time the SOP
becomes obsolete or revised.