SOP_NUMBER: 209.10
TITLE: Inmate_Probationer Drug Testing
REFERENCE_CODE: IIB01-0024
WORD_COUNT: 3204
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/209.10/
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Drug Screen - Chain of Custody Form
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/209.10-att-1/
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FULL TEXT:
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**`Functional Area: `**
`Facilities Operations`|**`Reference Number: `**
`IIB01-0024`
`(209.10)`|**`Revises`**
**`Previous`**
**`Effective Date:`**
` 3/01/2005`|
|**`Subject:`**
`Inmate/Probationer Drug`
`Testing`|||
|**`Authority:`**
`Bryson/Jacobs`|**`Effective Date:`**
`4/30/15`|`Page 1 of`
` 11`|
```
I. POLICY:
Each state facility/center shall conduct urine analysis on
inmates or probationers on both a random selection basis and
for reasonable suspicion or cause to detect the use of illegal
drugs. County correctional institutions shall also conduct
urine analysis on inmates/probationers to detect the use of
illegal drugs. Testing in county correctional institutions
may be coordinated through the State and County Coordinator's
Office and may be conducted by staff of a neighboring state
facility/center. Otherwise, testing in county correctional
facilities/centers will follow the procedures prescribed in
this SOP.
II. APPLICABILITY:
All State Prisons, County Correctional Institutions, Probation
Detention Centers, Probation Boot Camps, and Transitional
Centers.
III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:
A. O.C.G.A. 42-1-10
B. Board Rules: 125-3-1-.03, 125-3-2
C. GDC-SOPs: IIB02-0001, IK01-0005, IIB09-0001, IID04-0006
and IIIB02-0005
D. A.C.A. Standards 3-4061, 3-4292, 3-4388
IV. DEFINITIONS:
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```
A. Laboratory Drug Screen: A controlled laboratory test(s)
conducted to detect the usage (inhalation, ingestion,
injection) of illegal drugs in the subject's system.
B. Random Selection: Designating a sample drawn from the
inmate/probationer population so that each member of the
population has an equal chance to be selected.
C. Reasonable Suspicion: Knowledge sufficient under the
circumstance to cause an ordinary prudent and cautious
person to believe someone has consumed illegal drugs.
D. On-site Drug Field Testing: Preliminary analytical
testing procedure done at the facility/center to detect
drug of abuse in urine. Test kits for this purpose are
available from certain pharmaceutical companies.
V. ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment # 1 - Drug Screen - Chain of Custody Form
VI. PROCEDURE:
A. Purpose and Objectives: The Georgia Department of
Corrections will maintain a rigorous program of inmate
and probationer drug testing in all facilities/centers
housing GDC inmates or probationers to preserve the
safety and welfare of its facilities/centers and for the
protection of the public. The Department will maintain a
zero tolerance for inmate/probationer substance use
within its facilities/centers. Drug testing may be
utilized to:
1. Provide a management tool to identify inmates and
probationers actively using unauthorized substances
while incarcerated for the purpose of imposing
appropriate sanctions and offering treatment
interventions as appropriate.
2. Assist in maintaining the safety and security of the
facility/center through a rigorous program of drug
testing.
```
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`4/30/15`|`Reference Number:`
`IIB01-0024`
`(209.10)`|
```
3. Deter inmates and probationers from the use of
unauthorized and/or illegal substances by holding
them strictly accountable for all occurrences of
substance use through the imposition of appropriate
and progressive sanctions.
4. Provide a mechanism for confirming suspicion of drug
use by an inmate or probationer.
5. Provide an avenue for confrontation and treatment
intervention for inmates/probationers actively using
unauthorized and/or illegal substances while
incarcerated.
B. Selection:
1. Each facility/center will develop a random listing
of five percent (5%) of its inmate/probationer
population every 30 days and those
inmates/probationers will be tested on site for drug
abuse. The listing will be computer-generated using
a computer program developed and approved by the
Facilities Division in conjunction with the
Department's Office of Information Technology. The
current program is a paradox-based program within
the Offender Management System software program. The
list of inmates/probationers to be tested will be
generated by the Operations Analyst at each
facility/center on a monthly basis. The list will be
given to the facility's/center's Drug Testing
Coordinator who will arrange for all
inmates/probationers whose names are on the list to
be tested. Actual monthly test dates shall be at
irregular intervals during the month. Urine will be
obtained at varying days and times to include
weekdays, weekends and all three shifts. Inmates in
diagnostic status will be excluded in random testing
but will be tested based on reasonable suspicion.
2. Additional drug testing will be conducted on
inmates/probationers returning to a facility/center
after being in the community for the purposes of
work or furlough; in substance abuse treatment
programs; as a special condition of probation; and
```
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`(209.10)`|
```
based upon reasonable suspicion arising from an
event or incident to include but not limited to the
following:
a. Confidential information from a reliable
source;
b. Observed unusual actions or behaviors;
c. An inmate/probationer being found in possession
of suspected drugs and/or alcohol;
d. A group of inmates/probationers located in an
area in which suspected drugs and/or alcohol
are found to include in a specific living unit,
on a work detail vehicle or in an
inmate/probationer work area; and
e. Suspected intoxication of an
inmate/probationer.
3. Inmates/probationers suspected to be either
intoxicated or under the influence of drugs may be
examined by a member of the health care staff. If
an inmate/probationer is intoxicated or under the
influence of drugs, appropriate treatment and
medical observation will be provided to ensure the
welfare of the inmate/probationer, as required. An
inmate/probationer suspected of being under the
influence of drugs or intoxicated should be placed
in administrative segregation immediately, if he or
she is acting abnormally.
4. Reasonable suspicion drug tests require the
authorization of the Warden/Superintendent, Deputy
Warden/Assistant Superintendent, Chief Correctional
Supervisor, or Duty Officer.
5. Inmates/probationers returning from furlough or pass
may be subject to drug testing at the discretion of
the Warden or Superintendent. Transitional Center
and Diversion Center residents and resident workers
may be subject to drug testing upon return from work
or outside detail, at the discretion of the
```
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```
Superintendent. If random procedures are established
for testing these inmates/probationers returning to
the facility/center from being in the community,
specific "random" selection criteria must be
specified in written local operating procedures.
6. All inmates/probationers participating in any of the
Department's Substance Abuse Treatment Program
phases to include the Residential Substance Abuse
Treatment Program; the Prison Substance Abuse
Program; and the Specialized Intervention Programs
#1 or #2 shall be tested upon entry into that phase
and on a monthly basis while in treatment.
C. Screening Criteria: The drug screen urinalysis should
test for the active ingredients found in one or more of
the following: marijuana, amphetamines, barbiturates,
cocaine, morphine, heroin, opiates and/or other drugs of
abuse as selected.
D. Alcohol Testing:
1. All facilities/centers will have the capability of
testing inmates/probationers for suspected alcohol
use. Testing will be primarily for reasonable
suspicion.
2. The Alco-Sensor will be the standard testing method
used for suspected alcohol use. Facilities/Centers
wishing to use a different alcohol testing product
must obtain the written approval of the Corrections
Division Director or designee.
3. Positive alcohol tests will result in a disciplinary
report being written and handled in accordance with
the procedures outlined below for positive drug
tests.
E. Staff Training:
1. Sample Analysis: All staff who analyze urine samples
will be trained by manufacturer representatives
according to the manufacturer's specifications.
These staff will also receive training on
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Corrections Division procedures. The manufacturer
will provide a certificate to each individual upon
completion of certification training and
demonstration of proficiency via written and skills
tests.
2. Specimen Collection and Chain-of-Custody Only: Any
staff person who will assist only in the collection
of the urine specimen or otherwise in the chain of
custody will receive training on the Corrections
Division procedures only. Specimen collection
training may be provided by the facility/center
designee for supervision of the drug screening
program.
F. Safety Issues: Universal precautions and basic physical
safety standards shall be utilized in drug testing. As
with all laboratory procedures, good physical hygiene and
safe practices will be followed:
1. Avoid contact with eyes and skin.
2. Wear protective latex gloves.
3. Do not eat, drink, or smoke at test location and do
not have food, drinks or cigarettes in the testing
area.
4. Wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens.
5. Do not refrigerate food/drink where specimens are
6. Do Not test specimens known to have blood in them.
G. Collection of Sample:
1. Each Warden or Superintendent will designate a Drug
Testing Coordinator to supervise the drug testing
program, establish in-house procedures, train staff
collecting urine, conduct drug testing, ensure the
facility's/center's drug testing program is
operating in compliance with Department
policy/procedure and prepare reports.
```
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`(209.10)`|
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2. The collection of samples shall take place in a
designated area which does not permit the
inmate/probationer to come in contact with other
individuals or other materials which could be used
to adulterate the sample while the container or
sample is in the inmate's/probationer's possession.
The area used for the collection of urine needs to
be clean, well lighted and used solely for the
collection of urine during the collection process.
3. One designated staff member of the same gender
should be present to observe the collection of the
specimen. Prior to taking the urine, a pat down
search of the inmate/probationer will be done to
ensure there is nothing in his or her possession
which could be used to alter the urine. The
collection of urine shall be observed continuously
from a side or frontal view by the staff assigned to
collect the specimen. The employee shall check to
see that the specimen approximates body temperature
and has proper coloration to ensure that the
specimen has not been diluted, substituted or
adulterated. The inmate/probationer should provide
at least two ounces of urine to ensure sufficient
quantity for testing.
4. The designated staff shall provide the
inmate/probationer with a pre-labeled container for
the collection of the sample. The label shall
include the inmate's/probationer's name, number,
date of birth, the date and the time of collection.
The inmate/probationer shall initial the label.
5. The inmate/probationer must provide the sample at
the time requested.
a. Failure to comply within a 2-hour period of
time or refusal to provide the urine sample is
grounds for a disciplinary report. The charge
is C-17, "Refusal To be Tested."
b. The staff member should indicate, on the Chain
of Custody form, the inmate's/probationer's
refusal to provide a sample.
```
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```
c. Inmates/Probationers are to be allowed to drink
water, using appropriate precautions to insure
they do not contaminate samples.
6. Inmates/probationers found attempting to alter,
contaminate or adulterate the sample in any way
shall be cited with a disciplinary report to carry
the charge of B-17, "Obstructing Duties".
7. A valid chain of custody will be maintained at all
times in accordance with the provisions of this
procedure.
H. Chain of Custody:
1. A Drug Screen - Chain of Custody form (Attachment
#1) shall be completed by the staff member
collecting and/or analyzing the sample and shall
include the inmate's/probationer's name, number,
date of birth and the date and time of collection.
2. When the sample is collected, the inmate/probationer
will complete the appropriate section of the Chain
of Custody Form.
3. If for any reason the test cannot be completed
immediately following collection of the sample:
a. The staff member shall seal the sample under
observation of the inmate/probationer. The
inmate/probationer then signs the Chain of
Custody form, as does the staff member. If an
inmate/probationer refuses to sign, the staff
member will provide a statement, witnessed by
at least one other person, indicating the
inmate's/probationer's refusal to sign.
b. The staff member shall transport the sealed
sample to the specimen holding area and deliver
it to the appropriate individual for testing.
The employee receiving the sample shall sign
the sheet. The employees who transported the
sample shall witness the signature.
```
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c. The sample shall be stored in a secure and
technically appropriate manner until such time
that it is turned over to the appropriate
personnel for testing.
I. Storage of Specimens:
1. Short term storage - Specimens not tested
immediately after collection should be refrigerated
within 48 hours, in a refrigerator fitted with a
lock. Specimens yielding negative results may be
disposed of immediately.
2. Long term storage - If the specimen tests positive
and will be sent for confirmation or used as the
basis for a disciplinary hearing, it should be
frozen in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator
fitted with a lock. A Chain of Custody form will
reflect all individuals handling the specimen. The
specimen may be disposed of when no longer required.
3. Refrigerator: Any refrigerator used to store urine
specimens must remain locked at all times, except
when samples are being put in or taken out.
4. Disposal of Urine: When a sample tests negative or
after all disciplinary appeals or Court action have
been exhausted on a positive test, all samples must
be disposed of via a toilet receptacle. The bottle
shall be rinsed with bleach and disposed of or
placed in a trash bag for contaminated medical
products.
J. Field Testing: Each collected specimen shall be tested at
the facility/center by staff designated by the
Warden/Superintendent, using kits designated for field
testing of urine for drug use. Prior to using test kits,
expiration date will be checked. Reagents will not be
used beyond their expiration dates. Only the specific
product(s) authorized for use by the Corrections Division
Director or designee will be used in inmate/probationer
drug testing. Currently the Roche On-Trak and/or Roche
Test Stik will be used. Samples needing a confirmation
test will be sent to the Laboratory on contract with GDC
```
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for a Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
test.
K. Reporting of Results:
1. A report of results shall be prepared by the
designated staff member and sent to the Deputy
Warden for Security/Chief of Security and copies to
the Deputy Warden for Care and Treatment and the
Chief Counselor, who will distribute copies to the
files and appropriate staff. Drug testing results
will be logged and maintained on-site in a central
file by the Drug Testing Coordinator.
2. All positive test results shall be placed in the
inmate's/probationer's facility administrative file.
3. The results of the examination shall be final and
shall be grounds for disciplinary action.
4. The facility will report drug test results on-line
through the GDC Intranet on a monthly basis
capturing the following information:
a. number of inmates/probationers tested randomly;
b. number of inmates/probationers tested based on
suspicion of use;
c. number of inmates/probationers testing positive
in random test;
d. number of inmates/probationers testing positive
when tested based on suspicion;
e. number of inmates/probationers tested in
current fiscal year to date, in random tests;
f. number of inmates/probationers tested in
current fiscal year to date, based on
suspicion;
g. number of inmates/probationers testing positive
in random tests in current fiscal year to date;
```
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`(209.10)`|
```
h. number of inmates/probationers testing positive
in tests for suspicion in current fiscal year
to date;
5. The Corrections Division Drug Testing Coordinator
will review the monthly Intranet report to the
Division Office to ensure that all facilities/center
are operating in accordance with the Department's
drug testing procedure.
L. Sanctions:
1. A Disciplinary Report will be generated for all
positive drug and alcohol tests. Disciplinary
Reports will be handled and sanctions given in
accordance with GDC SOP IIB02-0001. All disciplinary
action is progressive in nature and minimum
sanctions of isolation and Tentative Parole Month
extension should be used on first and second
offenses.
2. For inmates found guilty of a drug or alcohol
infraction, referral to the Classification Committee
for review is a recommended sanction. The
Classification Committee may assign inmates to the
following substance abuse treatment interventions:
Specialized Intervention Programs(SIP) #1 and #2;
Prison Substance Abuse Program (PSAP); and the
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT)
Program.
3. An initial positive will generally result in
recommendation for program placement. A second
positive drug test will result in programmatic
sanctions (E.G.: program termination warning; or
program discharge). Additional positive tests will
generally result in more severe disciplinary
sanctions to include isolation and the extension of
the tentative parole month.
4. Probation Diversion Centers may refer probationers
for treatment interventions to in-house substance
abuse treatment programs; local mental health
```
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```
centers for substance abuse treatment or to other
community substance abuse treatment programs.
5. All Probation Centers may take the probationer back
to Court based on positive drug test results if
indicated based on progressive sanctions.
6. Sanctions for positive drug tests will be
progressive in nature and will be in accordance with
GDC SOP IIIB02-0005.
7. Inmates participating in the RSAT program will be
automatically linked to the substance abuse
treatment programs established by Parole following
their release from prison.
8. All inmates testing positive for drug or alcohol use
and being found guilty in a Disciplinary hearing
will have the infraction reported to the Parole
Board. The Parole Board will review these findings
and they may impact the Board's decision to grant
parole.
M. Investigation and Reports:
1. Positive reports may cause an investigation to be
conducted by designated facility/center staff to
determine how the drugs were introduced into the
institution. The Warden/Superintendent may request
assistance from Internal Investigations.
2. Inmates who test positive shall be cited with a
disciplinary for C-17, "Using Unauthorized Drugs".
If an inmate who tests positive was also on
prescribed medication, the positive results will be
discussed with the medical section before charging
the inmate with a disciplinary infraction. The
presence of prescription medications may require a
confirmation test, depending on the drug screening
test's sensitivity to the particular medication.
VII. RETENTION SCHEDULE:
```
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`(209.10)`|
```
Attachment 1 of this SOP, when complete will be filed locally
and kept for one year if the results are negative. If the
results are positive, the form will become part of a
disciplinary package that is placed in the inmate’s case
history file. The case history file is kept according to the
official records retention schedule.
```