SOP_NUMBER: 107.14
TITLE: Office of Reentry Services Audit Process
DIVISION: Inmate Services Division
TOPIC_AREA: 107 Policy-Counseling/Risk Reduction
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2022-03-02
WORD_COUNT: 1015
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/184348
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.14/
SUMMARY:
This policy establishes the audit and quality assurance process for evaluating academic, vocational, cognitive behavioral, and reentry programs across all GDC facilities. The Inmate Services Division conducts comprehensive audits, quality assurance evaluations, fidelity checks, and site visits at least every two years to ensure programs comply with policies and contribute to the institution's mission. Facilities must submit corrective action plans addressing critical findings within 30 days of receiving the audit report.
KEY_TOPICS: reentry programs, program audit, quality assurance, cognitive behavioral programs, vocational education, academic programs, corrective action plan, CAP, GPAI, Georgia Program Assessment Inventory, audit compliance, program evaluation, fidelity checks, recidivism reduction, program integrity
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|
|**Policy Number:** 107.14|**Effective Date:** 03/02/22|**Page Number:** 1 of 4|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Inmate Services Division
(Office of Reentry Services)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access
|
**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**
Inmate Services Division is responsible for conducting Audits, Quality Assurance
Evaluations, fidelity checks, Georgia Program Assessment Inventories (GPAI), and
site visits for the operation of academic, vocational (Career, Technical, and Higher
Education), cognitive behavioral, and reentry programs at Georgia Department of
Corrections (GDC) facilities. Institutional programs are analyzed and evaluated at
least every two (2) years to determine their contribution to the institution's mission.
GDC contractors for programs and services also meet with the designated
administrator at least annually to review the programs. This procedure is applicable
to all State, Private, and County Prisons, Probation Detention Centers, and
Transitional Centers.
**II.** **Authority:**
A. O.C.G.A. §§42-1-1, 42-2-11, and 42-3-2; and
B. ACA Standards: 2-CO-1A-20, 2-CO-1A-21, 2-CO-1A-22, 2-CO-1A-23, 2CO
1B-10, and 5-ACI-1F-12.
**III.** **Definitions:**
A. **Audit** - Comprehensive regularly scheduled and unannounced inspection and
review of compliance with policies and procedures for operations, programs, and
processes.
B. **Corrective Action Plan (CAP)** - A process implemented to correct areas of non
compliance. It is designed to ensure accountability for implementation of an
approved process and/or change.
C. **Georgia Program Assessment Inventory (GPAI)** - An evaluation of sites
within the GDC, measuring their compliance to evidence-based principles that
are proven at reducing recidivism.
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|
|**Policy Number:** 107.14|**Effective Date:** 03/02/22|**Page Number:** 2 of 4|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Inmate Services Division
(Office of Reentry Services)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access
|
D. **Inmate Services Division** - A Division within GDC mandated to reduce
recidivism by providing evidence-based cognitive behavioral programs, reentry
programs, and rehabilitative programs, as well as educational and Career,
Technical, and Higher Education (CTHE) services.
E. **Quality Assurance Evaluations (QA)** - Concentration on program integrity to
ensure the program is delivered in the manner in which it was designed. Quality
Assurance Evaluations also address classroom control, organization, and
sensitivity to group dynamics, completeness of documentation, group
participation, and response to participants’ use of the skills.
**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**
A. Inmate Services Division will review Cognitive Behavioral, Reentry, Academic
Education, and CTHE program services at all applicable facilities.
B. Commendations, findings, and recommendations will be furnished in writing to
the facility Warden/Superintendent, Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment,
Chief Counselor, and other Divisional Managers as appropriate, and to Inmate
Services Management.
C. Audits, Quality Assurance Evaluations, and/or site visits of Counseling Services,
Vocational Services, Educational Services, Library Services, and Recreation
Services will encompass:
1. Compliance with GDC Inmate Services Division SOPs related to the Office
of Reentry Services, Academic Education, CTHE, and Library;
2. Audit tools which are developed by Inmate Services Division to be used to
document findings from the Audits; and
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|
|**Policy Number:** 107.14|**Effective Date:** 03/02/22|**Page Number:** 3 of 4|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Inmate Services Division
(Office of Reentry Services)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access
|
3. A written Audit report (strengths and recommendations) that will be provided
at the on-site out brief and then sent to the Warden/Superintendent and the
Director of the Office of Professional Standards;
D. Corrective Action Plans (CAPs):
1. The Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at the facility will be responsible
for writing a detailed CAP that addresses all findings in the report that are
listed as CRITICAL items on the Audit guide.
2. The CAP will be submitted using the format recommended by the Office of
Professional Standards and Inmate Services Division. The format and updates
can be obtained from Inmate Services Division directors/managers.
3. All corrective actions requiring training will have this documentation listed
as “Training Section” which details the date, participants, and topic of
training.
4. All Corrective Action Plans will be placed in the facilities’ Care and
Treatment Operational Manual as a guide to ensure that all staff are aware of
the procedure for compliance with the SOPs.
5. The CAP is an evolving working document for improvement of counseling,
educational, and vocational services. Corrective Action Plans must have
dates of completion at the time the plan is submitted to the Director of the
Office of Professional Standards and Inmate Services Unit Manager.
6. The CAP will be submitted electronically to the Office of Professional
Standards Director and Inmate Services section director/manager thirty (30)
calendar days after receipt of the Audit report. If there are extenuating
circumstances and a time extension is needed by the Deputy Warden of Care
and Treatment to complete the CAP, contact the Inmate Services
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|**Policy Name:**Office of Reentry Services Audit Process|
|**Policy Number:** 107.14|**Effective Date:** 03/02/22|**Page Number:** 4 of 4|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Inmate Services Division
(Office of Reentry Services)|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access
|
manager/director of the section in question and Office of Professional
Standards Director.
7. The CAP will be reviewed by the Inmate Services Audit Team and, if
needed, they will contact the facility for more information.
Note: Forms associated with this Audit process may be found on the GDC
Intranet at Captiva/Executive Operations/Professional Standards/Audit
Guides at [http://captiva.dcor.state.ga.us/PS.html. All documentation from](http://captiva.dcor.state.ga.us/PS.html)
Audits of correctional facilities shall be retained for five (5) years.
**V.** **Attachments:** None.
**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:** None.