SOP 211.05: Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age (Juvenile) In GDC Custody

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 1 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

I. Introduction and Summary:
Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) shall assume custody of juvenile
offenders convicted and sentenced as adults by the Superior Court to serve in the
custody of the GDC under applicable laws. GDC shall also house juvenile
offenders at the request of the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of
Juvenile Justice (DJJ), with approval from the Commissioner of GDC. GDC
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for managing adult offenders shall apply
to managing juvenile offenders, except where explicitly overridden by this SOP or
GDC’s Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Policy. Where any requirement of
this SOP conflicts with an SOP for managing adult offenders, only that portion of
the conflicting adult SOP shall be superseded by this SOP.

This policy is applicable to:

A. Facilities designated to house juvenile offenders are: Al Burruss Correctional

Training Center for males, Coastal State Prison for males needing Mental
Health Level III (MH III) services that cannot be accommodated at Al Burruss
CTC; Augusta State Medical Prison for males needing Mental Health Level IV
(MH IV) services that cannot be accommodated at Al Burruss CTC. Lee
Arrendale State Prison is designated to house female juvenile offenders. Other
facilities may be used to treat immediate medical, mental health, or behavioral
needs of juvenile offenders.

B. This SOP applies to juvenile offenders sentenced by the Superior Courts to

GDC custody

C. This SOP also applies to juvenile offenders housed at the request of the

Commissioner of DJJ, with approval from the Commissioner of GDC.

II. Authority:
A. O.C.G.A: §§15-11-2(10), (11), and (12), 15-11-504, 15-11-602; 15-11-702;

17-10-14; 39-2-1 through 39-3-7; 42-5-5.1; 49-4A-7; and 49-4A-9;

B. GDC Board Rules: All Rules for managing adult offenders apply, except where

such application would violate state or federal law pertaining to juvenile
offenders.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 2 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

C. GDC SOPs: 108.03, Special Education; 209.11, Restrictive Housing

Assignment – Juvenile Offender Administrative Segregation; 206.01, Offender
Personal Property Standards; 207.04, Offender Work Details; 208.01,
Management of Offenders Diagnosed Positive for the HIV Antibody; 208.06
PREA-Sexually Abusive Behavior Prevention and Intervention Program;
209.04, Use of Force and Restraint for Offender Control; 219.01, Case
Management-Records Maintenance; 219.03, Access to Offender Facility
Records; 219.04, Retention Schedule for Facility Offender/Medical Files;
220.02, Security Classification; 409.04.24, National Child Nutrition Program;
507.04.85, Informed Consent; 508.25, Psychiatric Hospitalization; and all
SOPs pertinent to any aspect of facility operations, except where explicitly
overridden by provisions of this SOP;

D. Education Board Rule: 160-5-1.02;

E. Georgia Department of Labor Rules and Regulations: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs.

300-7-2-.01 et seq.; and

F. Federal PREA Standards: 28 CFR § 115.14.

G. ACA Standards: 4-4295, 4-4296, 2-CO-4B-05, 4-4306, 2-CO-4B-06, 4-4307,

4-4308, 4-4309, 4-4310, 4-4311, 4-4312, and 4-4312-1.

III. Definitions:
A. Juvenile Offender - An offender under eighteen (18) years of age sentenced

by Superior Court to GDC custody, or an offender under eighteen (18) years
of age being housed by GDC at the request of DJJ, as outlined in Section VI.A.
of this policy.

B. Adult Offender - For the purposes of this SOP, an offender eighteen (18) years

of age or older.

C. Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) - Passed in 2003 to provide for the

analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local
institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and
funding to protect individuals from prison rape.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 3 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

IV. Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:
GDC shall manage all juvenile offenders in a manner consistent with that used to
manage adults. Exceptions to adult policy and procedure shall be made to comply
with differences in legal and professional standards for juvenile offenders. The
following procedures comprise the specific exceptions authorized for routine
operation.

A. Housing a Juvenile Offender at the Request of the Georgia Department of

Juvenile Justice: All requests to house any juvenile offender sentenced to DJJ
custody shall be made directly from the Commissioner of DJJ to the
Commissioner of GDC. Approval to house any juvenile offender must come
directly from the Commissioner of GDC. No other GDC entity shall have the
authority to grant housing approval for a DJJ offender.

B. Location and Basic Conditions of Confinement:

GDC shall house juvenile offenders in designated PREA Compliant Housing
Units at Al Burruss CTC (males), Coastal State Prison (MH III males), Augusta
State Medical Prison (MH IV males) and Lee Arrendale State Prison (females).

Juvenile offenders shall not be placed in a housing unit in which they shall
have sight, sound, or physical contact with any adult offender through use of a
shared dayroom or other common space, shower area, or sleeping quarters.
(PREA Standard 115.14(a).

If Juvenile offenders act or present a threat to other offenders and staff; commit
or lead others to commit violent, disruptive, predatory, or riotous actions;
escape or attempt to escape from a guarded perimeter; or pose a serious threat
to the safety and security of institutional operations they shall be recommended
for assignment in a Tier Program utilizing the criteria established in S.O.P.
209.11. This shall be accomplished under the direction of the Asst.
Commissioner, Chief of Operations.

1. The housing unit shall be single or double bunk cell design whenever

possible. However, this does not mean to place juvenile offenders in
isolation. (PREA Standard 115.14(c)

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 4 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

2. In areas outside of housing units, juvenile offenders shall maintain sight

and sound separation from adult offenders, or there shall be direct staff
supervision when juvenile offenders and adult offenders have sight, sound,
or physical contact. (PREA Standard 115.14 (b)

3. Juvenile offenders may be housed at Augusta State Medical Prison

(ASMP) or Atlanta Medical Center (AMC) to receive medical treatment,
if Al Burruss CTC or Lee Arrendale State Prison lacks the required
treatment capabilities and if adequate bed space exists. Arrangements shall
be made to keep juvenile offender separated from adult offenders, in a
manner compliant with Federal PREA standards, state law, and this SOP
but juvenile offenders need not be housed on a separate floor or hospital
wing. Alternatively, the juvenile offender may receive treatment at an area
hospital when transport to ASMP or AMC is medically or logistically
impractical.

4. Male juvenile offenders needing Mental Health observation may be place

at the Mental Health Catchment facility for Al Burruss CTC prior to
appropriate permanent Mental Health placement.

5. Male juvenile offenders shall be housed at Coastal State Prison to receive

Mental Health Level III services.

6. Male juvenile offenders shall be housed at Augusta State Medical Prison

to receive Mental Health Level IV (MH IV) service.

7. Male juvenile offenders in need of Crisis Stabilization (CSU) shall be

placed in an available CSU bed, until the offender is stabilized enough to
be transferred back to a facility designated to house juvenile offenders.

8. Female juvenile offenders in need of MH III, MH IV, and CSU services

shall be housed at Lee Arrendale State Prison.

9. Juveniles offenders shall not be housed overnight in any facility other than

Al Burruss CTC, Coastal State Prison, Augusta State Medical Prison, or

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 5 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

Lee Arrendale State Prison unless the offender is receiving medical or
mental health services that cannot be provided at their regular facility.

C. Transportation:

1. Juvenile offenders shall have a direct transport to court, the hospital,

appointments, other facilities, or any other location requiring transport of
the offender. Direct transport means the juvenile offender shall bypass any
facility, or Regional Hub, and the transport shall be without interruption to
the final destination of the transport. Additionally, there shall be no adult
offenders on the transport vehicle. Only in exigent circumstances and when
approved by the Warden/Designee, shall juvenile offenders be transported
with adult offenders. When a transport with an adult offender(s) is
necessary the juvenile offender(s) shall be placed as close to the front,
behind the cage, as possible. Additionally, the juvenile offender(s) shall
be seated as far away as possible from the adult offender(s).

2. During transport juvenile offenders shall not be housed overnight in any

facility other than Al Burruss CTC, Coastal State Prison, Augusta State
Medical Prison, or Al Arrendale State Prison.

D. Intake:

1. General Diagnostic Approach: The Diagnostic process for male juvenile

offenders shall occur on the second and fourth Monday of each month,
unless it is a holiday, at Al Burruss CTC. The Diagnostic process for female
juvenile offenders shall occur on Friday, as necessary and determined by
Offender Administration, at Lee Arrendale State Prison.

Diagnostic materials for adults shall be supplemented or replaced with
similar materials designed for juvenile offenders. GDC shall seek
cooperation from DJJ and other appropriate agencies to obtain existing
diagnostic information on specific offenders.

2. General Medical and Dental Screening: Medical and dental screening shall

follow adult screening procedures and protocols. Juvenile offenders shall
undergo diagnostic medical, dental, and mental health screening as if they
were adults, with no need for parental consent.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 6 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

3. Mental Health and Mental Retardation Screening: Mental health screening

shall follow adult screening procedures and protocols, pending
development of screening tools for juvenile offenders.

4. Education Screening: Education screening shall be complete in accordance

with SOP 108.03, Special Education.

5. DNA Samples: All juvenile offenders who are sentenced to the custody and

control of GDC shall have DNA samples collected and processed in
accordance with SOP for adults. Juvenile offenders being housed at the
request of DJJ shall NOT have DNA collected.

6. HIV Testing: All juvenile offenders who are sentenced to the custody and

control of GDC shall be HIV tested in accordance with SOP for adults.
Juvenile offenders who are being housed at the request of DJJ shall NOT
be HIV tested.

E. HIV Management: SOP 208.01, Management of Inmates Diagnosed Positive

for the HIV Antibody shall apply to juvenile offenders. Briefly:
1. If a juvenile offender tests positive for HIV, that fact and the name of the

juvenile offender shall be considered AIDS confidential information.

2. The Warden or his/her designee may segregate HIV positive juvenile

offenders from HIV negative juvenile offenders, in accordance with
procedures described in SOP 208.01.

3. The facility medical section shall report positive HIV test results to the

Department of Human Services. The report shall include the result, age,
sex, race and county of residence of the infected person, but no other
identifying information.

4. OCGA § 15-11-35.1 grants GDC knowledge of HIV positive results from

tests made prior to pick up. GDC medical staff may pursue access to such
test results.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 7 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

F. Escape and Authorization to Arrest/Apprehend: GDC may purse and

apprehend juvenile offenders who escape from GDC custody in the same
manner prescribed for adult offenders. GDC may apply force, up to and
including lethal force, in the same manner as prescribed for adult offenders. If
unable to apprehend an escaped juvenile offender being housed at the request
of DJJ, DJJ must be contacted and an escape warrant must be obtained.

G. Use of Force: GDC may apply force to Juvenile Offenders, up to and including

lethal force, in the same manner prescribed for Adult Offenders. However, the
age of the offender shall be considered when determining the force to be
applied.

H. Release and Agreements: Standard procedures for adult offenders shall apply

to juvenile offenders sentenced to the custody and control of GDC.
Specifically, GDC may grant temporary custody to a Court that has outstanding
charges or other proceedings to dispose of. Standard procedures for court
production and detainers shall apply. GDC must work with DJJ to handle the
release or other agreements for juvenile offenders being housed at the request
of DJJ. Juvenile offenders may NOT be housed overnight at a GDC adult
facility during transport to court.

I. Programs: Juvenile offenders shall be provided similar access to program

services as adults, including recreation, vocational training, chaplaincy,
library, and counseling. Counseling programs specifically will focus on
priority needs such as life skills training, substance abuse, violence prevention,
sex offender, family dynamics and support groups, as well as general
counseling. All programs will be tailored for use with juvenile offenders, to the
extent possible. Juvenile offenders should only attend programs with adult
offenders under staff supervision, with the juvenile offender sitting as near the
instructor as possible.

J. Education: Juvenile offenders, who have not graduated high school, or

completed their GED, will be provided no less than 24 hours per week of
educational opportunities.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 8 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

K. Staffing: Because of the unusual difficulty of the work to be done, the Warden

(or designee) must specifically approve the assignment of uniformed officers,
counselors, medical or other staff members to work in the Juvenile Housing
Unit. Staff shall also be required to attend designated training, which is specific
to the needs of the Juvenile Offender. This training shall be conducted by the
Office of Professional Development, Inmates Services Division, and the
Department of Juvenile Justice, on a quarterly or as needed basis, at designated
locations.

L. Facility Policies and Procedures:

1. Security Classification: Juvenile offenders shall undergo the same security

classification process as adults, as described in the SOP 220.02, Security
Classification and SOP 207.04 Offender Work Details.

2. Behavior and Control: Juvenile offenders shall be subject to current GDC

SOPs, behavior standards, disciplinary procedures and protocols for use of
force, isolation, segregation, and restraint. Specifically, juvenile offenders
shall be subject to SOP 209.04, Use of Force and Restraint for Offender
Control as necessary. The age of the offender must be considered when
determining the level of force to be applied.

3. Care and Custody:

a. Male juvenile offenders shall wear distinctive uniforms and

identification.

1) Uniforms shall be white with khaki (tan) collars and pant stripes.

2) Work jackets shall be blue

b. Female juvenile offenders shall wear the standard issue female

uniform.

c. All juvenile offender identification cards shall use different color

schemes in order to distinguish them from adult offenders.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 9 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

4. Property: Facilities housing juvenile offenders shall abide by GDC SOP

206.01, Offender Personal Property Standards.

5. Medical Issues:

a. GDC shall provide general health care to juvenile offenders in

accordance with policies of the Office of Health Services.

b. In the case of emergency, GDC shall do everything possible to preserve

the general welfare and health of the juvenile offender.

c. In non-emergency cases where competent medical authority deems

medical treatment appropriate, if a juvenile offender refuses such care
parental consent or court order shall not be required to proceed with
non-emergency care. Informed Consent regarding juvenile offenders
should be in accordance with SOP 507.04.85, Informed Consent.

d. Housing during treatment/recovery must be separate from adult

offenders. Separate single-patient rooms meet the requirement for
separation from adult offenders.

6. Mental Health:

a. GDC shall provide appropriate mental health services to juvenile
offenders.

b. Juvenile offenders shall be assessed through Diagnostics for Mental

Health/Mental Retardation (MH/MR) Level of Care.

c. Assignment of Level of Care shall determine facility assignment for

provision of appropriate services.

d. MH/MR hospitalization shall be handled in accordance with SOP

508.25, Psychiatric Hospitalization.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 10 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

e. Male juvenile offenders needing Mental Health observation may be

placed at the Mental Health Catchment facility for Al Burruss CTC
prior to appropriate permanent Mental Health placement.

f. A male juvenile offender requiring MH III shall be housed at Coastal

State Prison.

g. A male juvenile offender requiring MH IV shall be housed at Augusta

State Medical Prison to receive MH IV service.

h. A male juvenile offender in need of Crisis Stabilization (CSU) shall be

placed in an available CSU bed, until the offender is stable enough to
be transferred back to a facility designated to house juvenile offenders.

i. A female juvenile offender requiring Mental Health Level III, Mental

Health Level IV or CSU services, shall be housed at Lee Arrendale
State Prison.

7. Meal Services: Juvenile offenders may be fed at the same time and place

as adult offenders with as much separation as possible, with the juveniles
sitting as near security staff as possible and under staff supervision.
Juvenile offenders shall be fed two meals per day on weekends and
holidays, in accordance with SOP 409.04.24 National Child Nutrition
Program.

8. Work Details: All juvenile offenders are expected to take care of all personal

hygiene needs; they are also expected to maintain a clean and orderly living
area. Maintaining personal hygiene standards and a clean and orderly living
environment shall not be considered work details. Any work completed by
juvenile offenders shall be under direct staff supervision. The staff
supervisor shall ensure the offender has a full understanding of the task,
how it is to be completed, and that the offender is exercising all safety
precautions. If the staff supervisor feels that the work being performed by
the offender may be hazardous work shall immediately cease. Work done
by juvenile offenders shall not be done so in conflict with education or
other programming needs. Work assignments that are a part of an approved

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|Policy Name:Procedures for Housing Offenders Under 18 Years Of Age(Juvenile) In GDC
Custody|
|Policy Number: 211.05|Effective Date: 10/30/2017|Page Number 11 of 11|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access
|

vocational or training program may be approved on a case-by-case basis
by the Warden or his/her designee. Such work assignments shall comply
with state and federal regulations and statutes pertaining to child labor.
Applicable regulations include O.C.G.A. § 39-2-1 through 39-2-21,
Georgia Department of Labor Rule 300-7-2-.01, and 29 CFR § 570).

9. Visitation: Visitation shall be in accordance with adult SOPs. Contact visits

shall be allowed. Visitation for juvenile offenders may occur on the same
schedule as adult offender visitation. However, there shall be as much
separation as possible from the adult offenders. The juvenile offenders and
their visitors shall sit near each other and as close to security staff as
possible.

10. Computerized Tracking and Storage of Information: Juvenile offenders

shall be tracked in the GDC’s offender data management system.

11. Juvenile Records: The records of juvenile offenders shall be treated like

records of adult offenders. The same procedure set out in O.C.G.A. § 425-38 shall apply for juvenile offenders. SOPs 219.01, Case ManagementRecords Maintenance, 219.03. Access to Facility Offender Records and
219.04, Retention Schedule for Facility Offender/Medical Files provide
relevant guidance.

M. Turning 18 Years of Age: Once a juvenile offender turns 18 years of age, they

must be moved out of the housing unit designated for juvenile offenders.
Juvenile offenders who turn 18 years old shall be housed in whichever facility
is most appropriate to meet their needs. However, it is the responsibility of the
Warden or his/her designee at the receiving facility to ensure the safety, and
appropriate housing of this offender.

V. Attachments: None.

VI. Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy: None.